Jim Heady loved the sky and he loved the sea, and most of all he loved his friends and family. Captain Jim continued his cosmic journey on July 20, 2021, just two days before his 76th birthday on July 22. He was an aviator, blacksmith, educator, sea captain, and loving husband, father, and grandfather. James Arthur Heady was predeceased by his parents, Clarence Reason Heady and Garnet Edythe Tredway, and his loving wife of 23 years, Joyce Corrine Kelly.
Military and Awards
Jim was a U.S. Army Chief Warrant Officer who supported the 25th Infantry Division in Vietnam as a Casualty evacuation Dustoff pilot from July 2, 1969 to July 1, 1970 where he was awarded the Bronze Star with “V” (valor), two Air Medals with “V”‘s and the Purple Heart. Jim was also eligible to wear the National Defense Service Medal, the Vietnam Service Medal with two bronze battle stars, the combat medical badge, the Army Aviator Badge, the Good Conduct Award and the Vietnam Campaign Medal with device on his uniform. In addition to his lengthy career helping people as a medevac aviator, he also held a Masters Degree in Special Education and a career as a teacher, and later in life operated commercial vessel’s as a Merchant Marine Master Mariner.
Family
He is survived by four sons James Arthur Heady, Jr. “Jay” (spouse Debbie) and Paul Eric Heady of Novato, CA; Eli Heady (spouse Megan, children Milo and June), Jesse Heady (spouse Jenny, children Rowan and Bettye) of Morgantown, WV; stepsons Terrence Jay Graham “TJ” (spouse Janine, children Rebecca and Abigail) of Littleton, CO and Christopher Robert Graham “Beano” (spouse Stephanie, children Joseph, Gabriella, and Jackson) of White Oak, PA; and former spouse Hilda R. Heady (spouse Dennis Zahradnik) of Morgantown, WV.
Services
A celebration of his life and remembrance will be held in St. Petersburg, FL on August 14, 2021 at a location and time to be determined and communicated. Jim will receive full military honors inurnment at Arlington National Cemetery in Washington, DC at a future date to be determined with friends and family welcome.