- Date Of Birth: July 1, 1937
- Date Of Death: March 1, 2007
- State: Florida
Colonel James (Jim) R. Murtha, 69, United States Air Force (retired), died March 1, 2007 at his home in Fort Walton Beach, FL following a courageous battle with cancer.
Born July 1, 1937 in New York City to the late James E. and Mabel H. (Smith) Murtha, he moved to Bennington, VT as a young boy. He graduated from Bennington High School in 1955. A winter laboring on the St. Lawrence Sea Way inspired him to return to school and in 1960 he earned an economics degree from St. Michael’s College Burlington, VT and an officer’s commission in the United States Air Force.
Jim, a resident of Fort Walton Beach since 1970, served as former Mayor Pro-tem of Ft. Walton Beach and four year member of the Ft. Walton Beach City Council was an ardent participant in many political and civic venues on numerous issues of local and national interest. He was an active member of St.
Jim is survived by his loving wife of 44 years, Mary F. (Blount) and four children; James C. (Ann) of Milwaukee, WI; Michael P. (Julie) of San Antonio, TX; Christopher J. (Joli) of Atlanta, GA and Maria K. Murtha-Endris (Greg) of Seattle, WA; his brother Robert E. Murtha (Nancy) of Glens Falls, NY. Survivors also include seven grandchildren and many, many in-laws, nephews, nieces and dear friends, all of whom provided time, love, support and prayers. He was pre-deceased by his parents and his brother, Peter C, of Boston, MA.
