Cover photo for Col. James E. "Jim" Fegley, Usmc (Ret.)'s Obituary
Col. James E. "Jim" Fegley, Usmc (Ret.) Profile Photo

Col. James E. "Jim" Fegley, Usmc (Ret.)

July 25, 1925 — December 7, 2017

Col. James E. “Jim” Fegley, USMC-retired, age 92, of Warner Robins, Georgia, passed away on Thursday, December 7, 2017.

Following a stellar career as a Marine Corps aviator, Jim retired to Warner Robins with his wife, the former Sara Kathryn “Sally” Grace, of Vienna, to build houses and small commercial buildings and to enjoy gardening and grandchildren. Sally passed away in 1999.

Col. Fegley’s military career spanned service in three wars. Among numerous decorations over the course of that career, he earned the Distinguished Flying Cross and the Bronze Star. Originally from Beardstown, Illinois, Jim enlisted during WWII in the Navy pilot training program (V-5), where he met his beloved wife. He was commissioned a 2nd lieutenant, USMC, in March 1946, the same year he and Sally were married. Following discharge, Jim worked in commercial aviation before being called back to active duty for the Korean War, during which he served as a combat pilot with the 1st Marine Air Wing. Beginning his career as a fighter pilot (flying F4U Corsairs in WWII, AD Skyraiders in Korea, and FJ Furies upon jet training), he rose in rank and administrative responsibility to become a squadron commander of transport aircraft (C130 Hercules), eventually retiring from the Marine Corps and from the command staff of the Atlantic Fleet in 1975.

Jim is survived by his brother Ed (Mary Lou) Fegley, of Mansfield, TX; by four children: Jim Fegley, of Colbert; Jill (Jon) Kilgore, of Braselton; Jonathan Fegley, of Hawkinsville; and Julie (Jim) McIntyre, of Raleigh, NC; by four grandchildren: Pace Fegley, of Atlanta; Wade Fegley, of Arlington, VA; Tabitha Barrett, of Colbert; and Paxton Barrett, of Phoenix, AZ; and by four great-grandchildren and five great-great-grandchildren.

Visitation will take place at McCullough Funeral Home, Warner Robins, on Friday, December 15, from 4:00-6:00 PM. Graveside services will be held at Arlington National Cemetery at a later date.

In lieu of flowers, please consider donations to the Alzheimer’s Association or to the Marine Corps’ Toys for Tots.

McCullough Funeral Home and Crematory has the privilege of being entrusted with Mr. Fegley’s arrangements.

To order memorial trees or send flowers to the family in memory of Col. James E. "Jim" Fegley, Usmc (Ret.), please visit our flower store.

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