Jim was raised on the family family near Heilwood, Pa. He served in the U.S. Army during WW II with C Troop, 7th Calvary Regiment, 1st Calvary Div., in Japan. He graduated from Indiana State Teachers College and had a Master’s Degree from the Univ. of Pittsburgh. Jim taught social sciences at Pine Township High School for four years and then was a guidance counselor for 37 years at United High School, retiring in 1993. Jim was a also a master gardener and very active in Catholic Church and veteran’s affairs. He and his wife Kathyrn lived in Indiana, Pa.

Kathryn worked at the Cambria Co. Registrar of Wills in Ebensburg, Pa.