James Henry Neufeld

On December 9, 2024, it was discovered James “Jim” Neufeld Senior, age 78, passed away in his home in Battle Ground, Washington after a long battle with end stage renal disease. 

Born in South Dakota on May 24, 1946 to Harold and Muriel Neufeld. James was the second oldest of six and the oldest son. His father was a colonel in the Air Force and his family moved numerous times. Included in the places they called home were Wiesbaden, Germany; Savannah, Georgia; and Omaha, Nebraska. He graduated from Great Falls Central High School, Great Falls, Montana in 1964, where he was involved in journalism, played center for the high school football team, and wrestled. 

In July 1967, Jim entered the Air Force and upon completion of basic training he attended Air Traffic Control School. He received his air traffic control tower and radar approach ratings while assigned to the 2026th Communications Squadron, Grand Forks AFB, North Dakota. 

He met Ruby "Jean" Ashley in Grand Forks, North Dakota and the two were married in August of 1969 in Great Falls, Montana. Shortly after, Jim was assigned as a radar approach controller during the Vietnam War on Cam Rahn Bay Air Base, Vietnam. 

In April 1970, while Jim was still serving in Vietnam, Jean gave birth to their daughter, Lori, in Colfax, Washington. Jim finished out his time in Vietnam and met his daughter for the first time when she was nine months old. 

In 1971, Sergeant Neufeld was assigned to the 2031st Communications Squadron, Selfridge AFB, Michigan. While living in Michigan Jim also worked as an auto mechanic and he became an active member in the Elk Mountain Hustlers CB Radio Club, where he was known as “ Montana Red.” 

In May of 1972, their son, James Junior was born in Mount Clemens, Michigan, to complete their family. 

During the drawdown of troops after the Vietnam Conflict in September 1974, he separated from the Air Force and joined the Michigan Air National Guard where he became a Command and Control Technician. In April 1975, he cross trained to the aircraft maintenance career field. As a crew chief, he performed maintenance on F-100D/F, F-4E and A-7 aircraft. 

In November 1977, he and his young family moved to Moscow, Idaho, where he worked as an automotive mechanic at the local Ford dealership and then transitioned to managing the Sears Automotive Department. He also continued his career in aircraft maintenance in the Air National Guard at Fairchild AFB, Washington as a KC 135A crew chief. In Moscow, he was a loyal member of the Moose Lodge, president and member of the softball league, and he served as president of the bowling league in which he participated. 

Returning to active duty in 1983, Sergeant Neufeld became a KC-135 Aircraft Maintenance Branch Trainer, and he moved his family to Fairchild AFB, Washington. His career as a maintainer has been broad. In addition to branch trainer, he has been a Tanker Expediter, Tanker Alert Controller, B-52H Expediter, Flight Chief, Production Super, and Alert Maintenance Branch Chief. In 1991, Jim was moved to the Wing Staff as a Wing Plans and Programs Evaluator. As one of the experts of both bomber and tanker aircraft systems, he became the Flight Safety NCO in June 1992. Master Sergeant James H. Neufeld was the Superintendent of Wing Safety with full-time duties as Flight Safety NCO, 92nd Air Refueling Wing, Fairchild AFB, Washington at the time of his retirement in October of 1996. 

Jim’s military awards include the Meritorious Service Medal, the Air Force Commendation Medal, the Air Force Achievement Medal with three oak leaf clusters, the Navy Achievement medal, the Armed Forces Reserve Meritorious Service Medal, the National Defense Service Medal with one oak leaf cluster, the Vietnam Service Medal with four bronze stars, the Southwest Asia Service Medal, and the Republic of Vietnam Gallantry Cross with Palm. 

After retiring from the military, Jim maintained heavy construction vehicles for the Eller Construction Company, until in 1998 he was hired at the Umatilla Chemical Depot. He and his wife moved to Hermiston, Oregon as he began his civilian career as a safety instructor teaching employees how to safely dismantle chemical weapons. 

He retired from safety instructor at the Umatilla Chemical Depot in 2011 and he and Jean moved to Battle Ground, WA to live closer to their children and their families. Here they loyally supported their granddaughters as they played soccer, basketball, and softball. Plus, they also attended most of their other events and performances. 

Jim was preceded in death by his parents, Harold and Muriel; two granddaughters, Haley and McKenna Reeves; and his youngest sister, Julie Clark (“Casey.”) He is survived by his wife, Jean; daughter, Lori Reeves (Ron); son James Junior (Jackie); granddaughters: Madison, Alyssa, and Miranda; one great granddaughter, Peyton; his siblings: Judy, Jerry, John, and Jeff; plus numerous nieces and nephews. 

Family and friends are invited to celebrate Jim’s life during a funeral service at Layne’s Funeral Services, 16 NE Clark Avenue, Battle Ground, Washington on Sunday, December 29, 2024 at 3:00 PM, with a memorial reception immediately following in the Moulton Falls Room at the Battle Ground Community Center, 912 E. Main Street, Battle Ground until 7:30 PM. 

A military honors graveside service will be held on December 30, 2024. Please see Ron or Lori Reeves for more information, if interested.