James Harold Witcher; Longtime Area Resident

Oxnard resident James Harold “Jim” Witcher died Tuesday at Community Memorial Hospital in Ventura. He was 69.

Witcher was born Oct. 28, 1929, in Biggers, Ark., and was raised on a farm. After high school, he joined the Air Force.

While on duty in Southern California, Witcher met his future wife, and they married in 1951.

He served nine years in the Air Force before joining the Army, where he was a chief warrant officer and served two tours of duty in Vietnam.

Witcher was awarded the Bronze Star, an Army commendation medal, and the National Defense Service Medal. He retired from the military after 22 years.

Witcher and his wife, Helen, moved to Carpinteria in 1971, where he was a manager for Josten’s Corp. In 1979, Witcher and his family moved to Oxnard, where he was a salesman for Sears.

After retiring from Sears, Witcher was involved in Neighborhood Watch and was a member of the Masonic Lodge. He also served as president of the Reserve Officers Assn., local chapter 15, and was editor of the association’s state publication.

He is survived by his wife, Helen Witcher of Oxnard; two sons, Dr. James P. Witcher of Camarillo and Lt. Col. Carl Witcher of Heidelberg, Germany; a daughter, Nancy Witcher of Quinton, Okla.; a stepdaughter, Elene Franco of Carpinteria; two brothers, Earl Witcher of Atlanta and Herbert Turner of Pocahontas, Ark.; nine grandchildren; three great-grandchildren, and numerous nieces and nephews.

In lieu of flowers, contributions can be made to the American Heart Assn.

A visitation will take place today from 2 to 7 p.m. at Joseph P. Reardon Funeral Home in Ventura. A rosary will be recited at 7 tonight.

The service will be held at 9 a.m. Saturday at Padre Serra Catholic Church in Camarillo, with burial afterward at Ivy Lawn Memorial Park in Ventura.

Joseph P. Reardon Funeral Home is handling the arrangements.