John O. James

John O. James, 92, of Spencer Avenue, Lancaster, PA, died at Hamilton Arms Center on Thursday, March 14, 2019. Born in Enterprise, West Virginia, he was the husband of Doris (Robinson) James, Retired District Judge Lancaster Township. They celebrated their 70th wedding anniversary on October 9th. He was the son of the late W. Bryan and Ethel Wharton James. John graduated from Shinnston High School in 1944, Bethany College in 1945, Franklin and Marshall College, and the University of Pennsylvania with a Certificate from the United States Navy V-12 College Training Program in 1946, and Fairmont State College with a Bachelor of Science Degree in Mathematics and Physics in 1948. He was a former member of St. Paul’s United Methodist Church and is currently a member at Hamilton Park United Church of Christ. From 1946-1947, he taught Algebra and Geometry at Washington Irving High School in Clarksburg, West Virginia, and from 1953-1954, he taught a Mine Welfare Course and was a member of the Scientific and Professional Command. He was chosen from the ranks to teach at Fort Eustis, VA. John joined the Hamilton Watch Company in 1954, as an ordinance engineer. He served with the United States Navy in World War II and with the United States Army during the Korean Conflict from 1952-1954, where he served as Sergeant and as a Mathematical Research Assistant of the Scientific and Professional Program. He was instrumental in developing a USA Ballistics Program for the HAM TECH contract with the U.S. Government. He started his career as a Mathematics Teacher with the Harrison County Board of Education in Clarksburg, West Virginia. He then worked as a Manager with the Standard Supply Company and was followed by his entry into the Army Korean Conflict. Most of John’s career was spent with Hamilton Watch Company, where he retired as Director of Engineering and Vice President of Engineering and Programs of the U.S. Government. He spent most of his time with the Military Products Division. From June 1970-December 1971, John played a major role in a law suit of Hamilton versus the U.S. Government. He was the key Hamilton witness and acted as Hamilton’s technical expert during proceedings. Over twenty thousand pages of testimony were recorded during the litigation and Hamilton was awarded a $2.3 million dollar settlement. He participated in the development of the Pulsar Watch, the world’s first liquid crystal (Liquid Display) Watch. He also worked on the Star Wars Program and the Iron Dome Program. He was a member of the Wheatland Lions Club and served as First Vice President and was active with the Boy Scouts of America from 1965-1969, served as a campaign member of the American Heart Association from 1966-1968 and was active in the political and civic areas. He served for many years as a Board Member of the former Osteopathic Hospital. In addition to his wife, he is survived by his children, Bradley R., husband of Anne Belarmino James, Arlington, VA and Jocelyn L. James, MD, San Antonio, TX, cousin, Joan Tetrick and cousin, James Tetrick, both of Winchester, VA and his great niece, Holly Hanby Earle, Scottsdale, AZ and great nephew, Patrick Hanby, Scottsdale, AZ and other great nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by a brother, G. Warren James, a sister, Billie A. Marsh, and a niece, Geri Kay Hamby. Relatives and friends are invited to attend John’s Funeral Service at Hamilton Park United Church of Christ, 1210 Maple Ave., Lancaster, PA 17603 on Saturday, March 30, 2019 at 2:00 p.m. with The Rev. Elizabeth Nocheck and The Rev. Dr. David R. Bushnell officiating. The family will receive friends at the Church following the service in the Maugan’s Chapel. Interment with Military Honors will take place on Tuesday, April 2, 2019 at 11:30 a.m. at Fort Indiantown Gap National Cemetery. The funeral procession will leave from The Groffs Family Funeral & Cremation Services, Inc., 528 W. Orange Street, Lancaster, PA 17603 on Tuesday at 10:00 a.m. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be sent to Hamilton Park United Church of Christ, 1210 Maple Ave., Lancaster, PA 17603 or the American Parkinson Disease Association, 135 Parkinson Ave., Staten Island, NY 10305 in his memory.