Col. (Ret.) James Dale Treadway, Sr., age 89, of Huntsville, passed away Thursday, December 22, 2022, at home after a lengthy period of declining health. He was preceded in death by his parents, Orville and Mary Lenora Tate Treadway, brothers Walter, Russell, William, and Jay Charles.
He is survived by his wife of 29 years, Bonnie Abney Treadway; step-daughter Chanda Abney Allen (Ed), Houston, TX; and four children with his first wife Anne Wood, Lexington, KY: daughters Angela Rose Doll (Tom), Patterson, NC, and Celeste Marie Treadway-Leuzinger (Harry), Leander, TX; sons James Dale Treadway, Jr. (Lea MacNider), North Attleboro, MA, and Jay Selden Treadway, Lexington, KY; grandchildren Heather McFavilen (Mike), Phoenix, AZ, Brian Leuzinger (Julia Erwin), Cedar Park, TX, Chelsea Swirsky (David), Dunwoody, GA, Ashlin Treadway, Portland, OR, Maria Leuzinger, Tacoma, WA, Paul and James Allen, Houston, TX; great-grandchildren Archer Lawson, Ft. Worth, TX, Corbin and Fiona McFavilen, Phoenix, AZ, Ophelia and Bennett Leuzinger, Cedar Park, TX, and Eli and Liam Swirsky, Dunwoody, GA.
Born on May 30, 1933, in Johnson City, TN, Jim grew up in his beloved mountains of east Tennessee and Banner Elk, NC, where he learned the values of hard work, thrift, and the value of an education. He earned a bachelor’s degree from East Tennessee State College in 1956 and was commissioned through the ROTC as an officer in the U.S. Army where he served honorably for 30 years. He earned a Masters in Business Administration from Boston University and he graduated from the US Army Staff College. Following his military career, he was employed by Humana in Lexington, KY, and Huntsville, AL.
He was a Colonel in the U.S. Army and a Vietnam Veteran. He served 12 tours of duty. Four overseas: Germany (2), Vietnam and Yangson, South Korea; and 8 in the US: Ft. Bliss, TX; Ft. Sill, OK (2); Ft. Carson, CO; Norfolk, VA; Randolph AFB and Ft. Sam Houston in San Antonio, TX; Ft. Knox, KY; and US Army Materiel Readiness Support Activity, Lexington Bluegrass Army Depot, Avon, KY.
Among his many decorations are the Legion of Merit, Bronze Star, Meritorious Service Medal, Air Medal, Joint Service Commendation Medal, Army Commendation Medal, Meritorious Unit Citation, National Defense Service Medal, and the Vietnamese Cross of Gallantry with palm.
He was a member of Epworth United Methodist Church, where he enjoyed singing in the choir, and he sang tenor in the Huntsville Community Chorus. He was a Life Member of Military Officers Association of America (MOAA). He was a member of the Huntsville Gem and Mineral Society, and was known locally for his beautiful jewelry creations, “Jim’s Gems,” that were sold at shows, and often generously gifted to family and friends as an expression of his love.
He dearly loved God, family and country. He never failed to tell his children, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren that he loved them every time they spoke.
Visitation and a memorial service will be held on Saturday, January 14, 2023 at Epworth United Methodist Church, 2102 Epworth Drive, N.E., Huntsville, AL, 35811. Visitation will be from 11:00 a.m until 12:00 p.m. with the memorial service following immediately.
In lieu of flowers, donations in Jim’s honor may be made to Epworth United Methodist Church by mail at the above address or to the general fund online at https://secure.myvanco.com/YQMC/home
