Col. James Francis Pendergast
Air Force veteran
Colonel (retired) James "Jim" Francis Pendergast, 77, of Dayton, Ohio, passed away peacefully after a courageous battle with colon cancer July 31, 2011 at Hospice of Dayton, surrounded by his loving wife and six children. He is survived by his loving wife of 58 years, Beverly Ann Sprague.
Jim was born Aug. 17, 1933 in Lewiston, Maine, the son of the late Daniel and Mildred Pendergast of Warwick. He was an accomplished athlete and graduate of Gorton High School, Warwick, in 1951. He played varsity basketball and received his BA from Brown University in 1955 and MBA from Kent State University, Ohio, in 1969.
Jim served his country from February 1956 through March 1986 as an officer in the U.S. Air Force. Stateside tours included Pease AFB, N.H.; Grand Forks AFB, N.D.; and Offutt AFB, Neb., with his last eight years of service at Wright-Patterson AFB. His overseas assignments included Okinawa 1965 to 1967, Vietnam 1969 to 1970 and Iran 1976 to 1977. He was awarded the Legion of Merit, the Meritorious Service Medal with one Oak Leaf Cluster, the Air Medal with one Oak Leaf Cluster, the Air Force Commendation Medal, the Air Force Outstanding Unit Award with one Oak Leaf Cluster, the Air Force Organizational Excellence Award; the Combat Readiness Medal with one Oak Leaf Cluster, the National Defense Service Medal, the Vietnam Service Medal with three Bronze Service Stars, the Air Force Longevity Service Ribbon with one Silver and One Bronze Oak Leaf Cluster, the Small Arms Expert Marksmanship Ribbon, the Republic of Vietnam Gallantry Cross with device, and the Republic of Vietnam Campaign Medal.
Jim was an avid golfer, playing in the annual Retired Military Golf Classic in Myrtle Beach, and also with his “Blitz” friends at Prairie Trace Golf Club and with his children. He and Beverly enjoyed their many trips to visit friends and relatives throughout the country, Ireland, England and their annual trips to St. Maarten and Hilton Head. He experienced the trip of a lifetime to Antarctica in 2009 with his brother Dan.
He is preceded in death by his parents, Daniel and Mildred Pendergast, and brothers Michael and Peter. Besides his wife he is survived by his daughters, Kathleen Pendergast McHale and husband Luke of Ft. Worth, Texas, Dona Pendergast of Ft. Worth, and Margaret Pendergast Johnson and husband Curtis of Kettering, Ohio; his sons, James Francis Pendergast Jr. and wife Deborah of Annandale, Va., Kevin Patrick Pendergast and wife Gigi of Miamisburg, Ohio and Col. David McNulla Pendergast and wife Paula of Honolulu, Hawaii; sister Mary of Greenville; brothers Dan and Brian and wife Diane of Warwick; 13 grandchildren, eight great-grandchildren and numerous nieces, nephews and friends.
Calling hours were Aug. 7 from at Routsong Funeral Home, 2100 E. Stroop Rd., Kettering. A prayer service was held at the funeral home Aug. 8. Funeral services were held Aug. 8 at St. Adalbert, 1212 St. Adalbert Ave., Dayton, Ohio. Burial was at Dayton National Cemetery, 4100 W. Third Street, Dayton.
The family would like to express thanks for the wonderful help and care given by Hospice of Dayton and the James Cancer Hospital at Ohio State University. Should friends desire, donations may be made to Hospice of Dayton and the HPB Cancer Research Fund #312980 at www.giveto.osu.edu. Condolences may be sent to the family at www.routsong.com.
