James Huett

James Wesley Huett of Fruita, CO died June 29, 2018 at the age of 90 following a brief illness.  He was born July 18, 1927 in Wabbaseka, Arkansas.  James was the son of the late George Matthew Huett and Bessie Opal Geary.  He had one brother and three sisters.

James spent his youth and attended school in Martinsville, Indiana.  He joined the US Coast Guard as a Merchant Seaman in July of 1944 transporting WWII soldiers.  He joined the Army Air Force November  of 1945 and served as a S/Sgt in the 601 Air Engineer Squadron during World War II occupation of Japan as a IFF Radar Mechanic.  James received an honorable discharge in August 1948 with a WWII Victory Medal and WWII Army of occupation Medal in Japan.

In June 1949 he married Anna J. Burkett in Martinsville, Indiana and had five children, Ben, David, Jackie, Joni and Jill.

James worked as a Millwright for Chrysler Foundry in Indiana from April 1965 to May 1990 and then retired.  James enjoyed fishing, building and flying model airplanes his entire life.

He is preceded in death by his parents, four siblings and son Benjamin Wesley Huett.  James is survived by son David L. Huett (Emma) of Beech Grove, IN, daughter Jackie J. Shoptaugh (Bob) of Fruita, CO, daughter Joni J. Smothers (Greg) of Greenfield, IN and daughter Jill A. Ziegler of Martinsville, IN.  Grandchildren, Angie, Holly, Melissa, Dava, Matthew, Kimberly, Joey, Raquel, Olivia, Kristin, Bethany, Chelsea, Charity, Glory, Stephen, Jake and River and 16 Great Grandchildren.

Visitation at Brown’s Cremation & Funeral Home, 904 N. 7th Street, Grand Junction, CO on July 9, 2018 at 11:00 A.M.  Interment with full military honors to follow at Veterans Memorial Cemetery of Western Colorado, 2830 Riverside Parkway at 1:00 P.M.  Memorial Services in Indianapolis, Indiana will be announced at a later date.