Share James S. Majors's obituary with others.
Invite friends and family to read the obituary and add memories.
Stay updated
We'll notify you when service details or new memories are added.
You're now following this obituary
We'll email you when there are updates.
Select your format and elements to print
IN LOVING MEMORY OF James S. Majors
James S.
Majors
Jul 1, 1938 — Apr 18, 2017
James S. Majors' Obituary
Dr. James Scoggin Majors passed away on April 18, 2017, at the age of 78.
Jim was born and raised in Champaign, Illinois. He attended Champaign High School, where he was an outstanding student and athlete, as well as Student Council President.That was also where he met the love of his life, and wife of 53 years, Suzanne Catherine Roche. A telling comment in his senior yearbook read, "a leader among men."
After high school, Jim attended the University of Illinois, where he continued to excel. He graduated with high honors, was elected to Phi Beta Kappa and Phi Kappa Phi honor societies, and was a member of the Sigma Chi fraternity. Not being satisfied with just an undergraduate degree, Jim also obtained a Master's Degree in Psychology.
After college, Jim embarked on his first career when he joined the United States Air Force in 1963. He attended Officer Training School at Lackland Air Force Base in San Antonio, Texas, where on the day after he was recognized as a Distinguished Graduate, he and Sue were married - April 1, 1964. Having developed a passion for flying at a young age from his father, Jim immediately entered military pilot training at Williams Air Force Base in Arizona. Afterwards, he was assigned to the 12th Tactical Reconnaissance Squadron, and sent to France in anticipation of wartime service. Jim and Sue spent a happy, albeit nervous, year in the Alsatian countryside until Jim's squadron was sent to Viet Nam. Based at Tan Son Nhut Air Base outside Saigon, Jim flew 203 combat missions in an RF-4C Phantom Jet over an 11-month deployment. He was awarded the Distinguished Flying Cross,along with numerous other commendations, and returned home in 1968 to begin the next phase of his career and start a family with Sue.
Their 2 sons, Michael and Jeffrey, were born during Jim's time as an instructor pilot back at Williams AFB. Jim spent a total of 26 years in service to his country, retiring at the rank of Lieutenant Colonel. During those years, he managed to obtain a senior pilot rating flying the RF -4 and RF·101, get a Ph. D. in Clinical Psychology from the University of Kentucky, earn his jump wings at Fort Benning , Georgia , lead the Air Force 's aircraft accident investigation Human Factors Team , dote on his loving wife, and rai se two highly successful sons.
After retirement from the USAF in 1989, Jim spent the next ten years working as a psychologist with the Texas Department of Corrections. After another retirement, Jim cofounded a company, Reliance Behavioral Health, which provided psychological services to nursing home patients in the San Antonio area, and later established his own company, Majors Psychological Services, working in both capacities for more than a decade, the highlight of which was working with his son, Jeff, and his daughter-in -law Sandra, also psychologist. Jim continued to fly for fun, volunteer with such organizations as the Special Olympics, play senior softball, participate in track and field at the Senior Olympics,and spend quality time with his family.
Through all the years of his life, Jim was universally regarded as a true gentleman. He had a wonderful sense of humor, was always in good spirits, always had time for a friend or neighbor in need, and always acted with kindness, gentleness, and selflessness. He will be missed immeasurably, but his family is comforted by the sure knowledge that, after having so long been an amazing earthly father, he is now at home with his Heavenly Father.
Jim is preceded in death by his parents James and Alberta Majors, and his sister Marylin Kennelty. He is survived by his wife Sue, son Dr. Michael Majors and his wife Sheri, of Fredericksburg,TX,and son Jeffrey Majors and his wife Sandra of Bethesda,MD,. as well as five grandchildren Sara, Sean, Ryan, Evan and Alex.
There will be a graveside service with full military honors at Fort Sam Houston National Cemetery, in San Antonio, on May 5, 2017, at 11:15 AM. A reception will immediately follow at the Fort Sam Houston Golf Course clubhouse. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made in the name of James S. Majors to the Alzheimer's Association www.alz.org or the charity of your choice.
Jim was born and raised in Champaign, Illinois. He attended Champaign High School, where he was an outstanding student and athlete, as well as Student Council President.That was also where he met the love of his life, and wife of 53 years, Suzanne Catherine Roche. A telling comment in his senior yearbook read, "a leader among men."
After high school, Jim attended the University of Illinois, where he continued to excel. He graduated with high honors, was elected to Phi Beta Kappa and Phi Kappa Phi honor societies, and was a member of the Sigma Chi fraternity. Not being satisfied with just an undergraduate degree, Jim also obtained a Master's Degree in Psychology.
After college, Jim embarked on his first career when he joined the United States Air Force in 1963. He attended Officer Training School at Lackland Air Force Base in San Antonio, Texas, where on the day after he was recognized as a Distinguished Graduate, he and Sue were married - April 1, 1964. Having developed a passion for flying at a young age from his father, Jim immediately entered military pilot training at Williams Air Force Base in Arizona. Afterwards, he was assigned to the 12th Tactical Reconnaissance Squadron, and sent to France in anticipation of wartime service. Jim and Sue spent a happy, albeit nervous, year in the Alsatian countryside until Jim's squadron was sent to Viet Nam. Based at Tan Son Nhut Air Base outside Saigon, Jim flew 203 combat missions in an RF-4C Phantom Jet over an 11-month deployment. He was awarded the Distinguished Flying Cross,along with numerous other commendations, and returned home in 1968 to begin the next phase of his career and start a family with Sue.
Their 2 sons, Michael and Jeffrey, were born during Jim's time as an instructor pilot back at Williams AFB. Jim spent a total of 26 years in service to his country, retiring at the rank of Lieutenant Colonel. During those years, he managed to obtain a senior pilot rating flying the RF -4 and RF·101, get a Ph. D. in Clinical Psychology from the University of Kentucky, earn his jump wings at Fort Benning , Georgia , lead the Air Force 's aircraft accident investigation Human Factors Team , dote on his loving wife, and rai se two highly successful sons.
After retirement from the USAF in 1989, Jim spent the next ten years working as a psychologist with the Texas Department of Corrections. After another retirement, Jim cofounded a company, Reliance Behavioral Health, which provided psychological services to nursing home patients in the San Antonio area, and later established his own company, Majors Psychological Services, working in both capacities for more than a decade, the highlight of which was working with his son, Jeff, and his daughter-in -law Sandra, also psychologist. Jim continued to fly for fun, volunteer with such organizations as the Special Olympics, play senior softball, participate in track and field at the Senior Olympics,and spend quality time with his family.
Through all the years of his life, Jim was universally regarded as a true gentleman. He had a wonderful sense of humor, was always in good spirits, always had time for a friend or neighbor in need, and always acted with kindness, gentleness, and selflessness. He will be missed immeasurably, but his family is comforted by the sure knowledge that, after having so long been an amazing earthly father, he is now at home with his Heavenly Father.
Jim is preceded in death by his parents James and Alberta Majors, and his sister Marylin Kennelty. He is survived by his wife Sue, son Dr. Michael Majors and his wife Sheri, of Fredericksburg,TX,and son Jeffrey Majors and his wife Sandra of Bethesda,MD,. as well as five grandchildren Sara, Sean, Ryan, Evan and Alex.
There will be a graveside service with full military honors at Fort Sam Houston National Cemetery, in San Antonio, on May 5, 2017, at 11:15 AM. A reception will immediately follow at the Fort Sam Houston Golf Course clubhouse. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made in the name of James S. Majors to the Alzheimer's Association www.alz.org or the charity of your choice.
To send flowers or plant a memorial tree in memory, please visit our flower store.
Funeral Services for James S. Majors
Graveside Service
May
5
Friday
Fort Sam National Cemetery
Starts at 11:15 am
James S. Majors' Guestbook
Visits: 0
This site is protected by reCAPTCHA and the
Google Privacy Policy and Terms of Service apply.
Service map data © OpenStreetMap contributors