Obituary: Eads, James H.
Age 82
He was born on September 1, 1930 in Moberly, MO to James H. Eads, Sr. and Grace Lucas who preceded him in death.
The Eads family moved to Kansas City, MO in 1935 where James was raised and went to school.
He is survived by his three grandchildren, Zara Ann Miller, Josef Eads, and Emily Dipo; eight great-grandchildren; numerous aunts, uncles, nieces and nephews.
He was preceded in death by his younger sister Bonnie Snodgrass and son, Larry.
In 1946 he met the love of his life Betty Jo Foster when she was introduced to the Church youth group when the Foster family moved to town from southern Missouri.
Three years later on June 18, 1950, they were married in the same church where they had met.
James was nineteen and Betty was sixteen.
He worked for a short time with TWA Airlines as a mail clerk along with his very best friend Norman Trigg and later as an aircraft mechanic.
He, Norman and several of his school buddies played baseball for Kansas City for three years.
He then left high school in June of 1947 and enlisted in the Army Air Corp. James started his aircraft maintenance career with B-29’s with the 328th Bomb Sq., 93rd Bomb Wg.
at Castle AFB, CA in 1947.
He was proud to have served with the 538th Fighter Squadron at Larson AFB, Moses Lake, WA from January of 1957 through September of 1959, and as the Crew Chief on one F-86 Aircraft #032 with the best pilot in the squadron, Lt. Stuart, flying it.
Later, the 538th FIS was selected to be the second AF Squadron in the Air Force to receive the new F-104A/B aircraft which would break numerous world records.
After four years in Germany, he was assigned to Stead AFB, NV as Admin.
Sgt, then went on to Fairchild AFB with the USAF Survival School in December of 1965.
James had numerous overseas tours such as Japan, Germany, the Aleutian Islands and one F-84 Fighter Group that was in and out of Korea on special missions.
One assignment he liked very much was the Special Assignment on the 1127th SpcActyHq, 6499th SpcActyGp as an intelligence specialist with Detachment 3 in China and Detachment 6 in downtown Saigon, Vietnam.
They called them “spooks” with civilian clothes and all.
He retired from the Air Force in June of 1970 after 23 years working as an Aircraft Mechanic, Admin and Intelligence Specialist.
After retirement, James worked for Spokane County Engineering and Road Department.
He retired in January of 1992 after 22 more years.
He was a long standing member of Driscoll Blvd Baptist Church since 1967, a member of Spokane Rifle Club, and shot trap at their club house.
His beautiful wife Betty of fifty plus years preceded him in death in August of 2000.
At his request, there will be no services.
Interment will be at Greenwood Memorial Terrace, Arlington West lawn.
In lieu of flowers, please make memorial contributions to Hospice of Spokane.