James E. Wells, LtCol. Retired USMC

James E. Wells, known to his family and friends as Jim or Jimmy, and to his little ones in the neighborhood as Mr. Jim, passed away at Brookdale Senior Home on July 26th, 2017 from complications of pneumonia associated with Progressive Dementia. He was preceded in death by his mother, a sister, two aunts, a half-brother, a daughter, who lost her struggle with breast cancer. He leaves behind his wife, two daughters, a son, eleven grandchildren and an estimated 23 great-grandchildren. In his early years Jim was an avid golfer, fisherman and hunter. He was a good neighbor, always ready to help when needed and sometimes when not. Jim was generous, sometimes to a fault, giving extra money to the newspaper delivery people for having them put his paper behind the screen door and to the mail men for the deliveries made in all kind of weather.
Jim received a Meritorious Service Medal from the Commandant of the Marine Corps while serving as Accounting Officer at Marine Corps Development and Education Command at Quantico, Virginia from July 1974 thru April 1980. Jim was the driving force behind the development of an Automated Marine Air Ground Financial Accounting System which was implemented through the Fleet Marine Forces. He was also cited at this time for his untiring efforts and his tenacity and skills for designing effective Data Flow Systems and Procedures. All this while serving as the forerunner for the conception and adoption of and Integrated Financial Automated Management Records System.

Noted, too, should be the many volunteer hours that Jim put in doing conservation work and how proud he was to have been given an honorary Game Warden status.
At home, he will be remembered most for having chased the drivers of the trucks and cars, that ignored all visible signs stating no turning around or backing-up in driveways. These trespassers referred to Jim as a “crazy old man”, “out of his mind”. Jim was not crazy or out of his mind, yet. He was only trying to protect what was his from trespassers having no understanding or respect for the property of others.

And now the thanks, to the few who were there to help Jim when the help was needed – you know who you are. To Brookdale Senior Center, that became his home and to the ever-caring staff that became his family.

Thanks also, to the many drivers of delivery packages, UPS, FEDEX and USPS, for being to good to Jim when he would go out to their trucks, shake their hands and try to help them carry the packages inside. Even now, they ask “how is the ole gentleman doing”.

And as his wife of many years, with differences to match the years, I thank Jim and feel fortunate for having had his love when he could give it.

Let all that knew him, say goodbye to the take-charge man he was and respect his many accomplishments that he had done “HIS WAY, THE MARINE CORPS WAY”. Also respect his wishes for a simple cremation with no services to follow. Goodbye Jim… We miss you already.