James M Abel, Jr

Col. James M. Abel, Jr., age 69, passed away on Monday, March 20, 2017 in his home in Valparaiso, Florida.

James (Jim) is lovingly remembered by his wife of 44 years, Kimiko; son Carter Abel (Tammy); daughter Teresa Greenleaf (Jason); grandchildren Connor, Makenzie and Brannon Abel, and Tyler and Emily Greenleaf; brothers Tom and Dale Abel; sisters Mary Branch, Linda Coughlin and Wanda Sparks; and loving aunts, uncles, nieces, cousins and other relatives.

Jim is predeceased by his parents, James Abel Sr. (Largo, FL) and Mary Abel (Clearwater, FL), and his infant son, James. 

Jim was a 1965 graduate of Seminole High School in Pinellas County, Florida.  He enlisted in the Air Force in 1966 as a radio maintenance technician.  He met his beautiful bride while in Okinawa, Japan, whom he married in 1972.  Jim earned his commission in 1975, after which he served in key line, staff, and command positions in the command, control, communications and computer systems (C4) arena.  Jim commanded three squadrons and one communications group.  In 2001, after 35 years of service, Jim retired as a Colonel.

Following retirement from the Air Force, Jim continued to support the Department of Defense as a contractor.  He completely retired in 2009 to spend time with family, friends, and neighbors.  He was an avid golfer and enjoyed boating and fishing with his grandchildren.

The family will greet friends and relatives from 2:00 to 5:00 pm on Saturday, March 25, 2017 at the Eglin Golf Course Club House in Valparaiso.   Jim will later be interred at Arlington National Cemetery in Virginia. Memorial donations in lieu of flowers may be made to St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital.

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