James Michael

Lovely

James Michael Lovely, 72, of Iowa Park, Texas, passed away on March 12, 2024. Born on June 13, 1951, in Detroit, Michigan, James was a devoted father, brother, and friend. He is survived by his son, James Warren (Breanne), and sisters Cindy Giovanini (Garry) and Terry Shirey. James was preceded in death by his father James Edwin, mother Carole Esther, and son Aaron Michael.

James graduated from Hinkley High School in Colorado in 1969. He was a star runner on the track team and lettered in it. After high school, James attended Metropolitan State College in Denver where he received his Bachelor's degree in mechanical engineering.

James served with honor in the United States Marine Corps from 1975 to 2001. He retired at a Lieutenant Colonel. He held various distinguished positions, including Commanding Officer of Recruiting in Buffalo, New York, Commander of the 1st Battalion, 10th Marine at Camp Lejeune, North Carolina and finished his career as the Deputy of Recruiting Operations for the 9th Marine Corps Districts. In between his storied career, he also did 2 tours in Okinawa, Japan and was an Operations Officer in the G3 Section where he was responsible for South American training deployments. His career in the Marine Corps took him all over the world.

Outside of his professional life, James found joy in taking road trips with his friends on his Harley Davidson with Sturgis being his favorite destination. He was also an avid reader and loved to do puzzles.

James had an incredible sense of humor. He was feisty and opinionated. He loved his family, friends, animals and his Country. The smile and twinkle in his eyes when he said something he KNEW would stir up trouble is legendary. He put on a tough facade but for the people that knew him best, knew that he was a kind, generous and loving man. He embodied the motto "Once a Marine, always a Marine". There will never be another one like him and his family and country are better off by having him in their orbit. What a life! What a Career! What a legacy!