This is a Message Board Post that is gatewayed to this mailing list. Author: AMHhenley Surnames: Packer,Winward, Bay Classification: obituary Message Board URL: http://boards.rootsweb.com/localities.northam.usa.states.idaho.counties.franklin/2334/mb.ashx Message Board Post: The Spectrum, 06/05/08 James Demar Packer passed away after a brief and unexpected illness with leukemia on June 4, 2008. He was born June 18, 1925, in the little farming community of Franklin, Idaho, to Philando Perkins and Veressa Winward Packer, the sixth of nine children. After graduation from high school he joined the Navy as a cadet in the Officer's Candidate Flight School and became a dive bomber pilot flying off the Aircraft Carrier, The Shangri La. He served five years of active duty, and fifteen years in the Navy Reserve, retiring as a Lieutenant Commander. James marriage to AnnaDee Bay, on January 20, 1948, was solemnized in the Salt Lake Temple with Elder Harold B. Lee, then a member of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles, officiating. They have two sons; James David (Paula) Packer and Gregory Milton (Angie) Packer; seven grandchildren; Dennis (Jami) Packer, Barbara (Jeff) Gruetzmacher, John (Beth) Packer, Amy (Bryan) Folkner, James (Lindsey) Packer, Anthony Packer, and Dean Packer; and Twelve great-grandchildren. At the conclusion of his active duty in the Navy, James graduated from the University of Utah with both a Bachelor and a Master degree, then continued graduate school at the University of California at Berkley for another Masters degree. His career in the field of Social Services was spent in San Luis Obispo, and Ventura California, where he retired as the Deputy Director of the large Ventura County Welfare Department. He lived a life of service to his family, to the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, and to the communities in which he lived. Family activities included camping, backpacking, boating, water skiing, and scuba diving. In the Church he served often in the Youth Organizations, taught early morning seminary, was Bishop twice, a counselor in the Stake Presidency, on the High Council and was Stake Patriarch for over 20 years. After his retirement from the labor market, he and his wife served a full time mission in the England, London Mission for a year and a half, and then a Church Education Mission in South Africa for two years. During their retirement years, they enjoyed extensive traveling throughout the world. Jim loved people and had many friends both here and abroad. He will be remembered for his sensitivity and his wonderful sense of humor. The family would like to express sincere gratitude for the love, support and services offered and given by so many people during his illness. You are welcome to visit with the family on Friday evening, June 6, 2008, between 7:00 and 8:30 p.m. at the Spilsbury Mortuary, 110 S. Bluff St., St. George. Funeral services will be Saturday, June 7, 2008 at 11:00 a.m. at the Red Cliffs 1st Ward Chapel, 625 East Center Street in Ivins. A viewing will precede the services between 10:00 and 10:45 a.m. in the Relief Society Room. In lieu of flowers donations may be made to the Perpetual Education Fund, LDS Philanthropies 15 E. South Temple, 2nd Floor East, SLC, UT 84150 Arrangements are made under the direction of Spilsbury Mortuary, St. George, UT (435) 673-2454. Friends and family are invited to view funeral listings and offer their condolences at www.spilsburymortuary.com. Important Note: The author of this message may not be subscribed to this list. If you would like to reply to them, please click on the Message Board URL link above and respond on the board.