James H. Boschma, 73, of Huntsville, passed away peacefully at Crestwood Hospital on Sunday, October 14th, surrounded by family and friends. Jim was a retired Army Lt. Colonel whose service included two tours in Vietnam and a long career in advanced technologies at Redstone Arsenal, then as an entrepreneur in Huntsville. He married his wife Judy in 1969, and the couple enjoyed 49 years together, raising son James and daughter Stacie through postings at Fort Lewis, WA; Fort Knox, KY; Fort Monmouth, NJ; Fort Greeley, AK, and arrived at his final duty station Redstone Arsenal in Huntsville, AL in 1982.
Jim retired from the Army in 1988 after 23 years of military service and continued his passion for the mission of the United States Armed Forces in the private sector. Through several companies he and Judy founded, he developed technologies that made soldiers in combat operations safer.
Jim was a loving and devoted husband and father whose family was the center of his life. Family vacations usually featured water, fishing poles, and hearty meals made from the catch. Jim was an accomplished pilot, and whether it was Chinook Helicopters, Antonov 2 Bi-planes, or their Cessna 337, he loved flying and sharing this pastime with his family and friends. Jim was a member of Willowbrook Baptist Church, and he and Judy appreciated the fellowship they found there.
Survivors include Jim’s wife, Judy; son, James H. Boschma III and his partner, Elani Floyd; daughter, Stacie Boschma and her wife, Alicia Mintz; siblings, Hannah and her husband, Dave Kratzer, Brian and his wife, Simin, and Laurel and her husband, John Miller; and Judy’s siblings, Doug Frazier and Elizabeth Frazier.
Visitation will be from 2 to 3 p.m. Saturday, November 3 at Laughlin Service Funeral Home located at 2320 Bob Wallace Avenue, Huntsville, AL 35805, followed by a memorial service in the chapel.
In lieu of flowers, friends are encouraged to contribute to the Wounded Warrior Project. (www.woundedwarriorproject.org)
