James Marquis

James Daniel Marquis (April 6, 1939-January 9, 2018)
James D. Marquis, 78, of Ovilla, Texas, flew from the bonds of this earth on January 9, 2018. He lived grudgingly with Alzheimer's Disease for almost a decade until Alzheimer's terminated the relationship. Jim was born in Memphis, Tennessee, the only child to Jim and Pat (Hopkins) Marquis. After graduating Treadwell High in Memphis, he became a Ramblin' Wreck from Georgia Tech, majoring in AeroSpace Engineering. Immediately following his graduation, the Air Force decided they could not live without him, and he willingly served his country as a fighter pilot in the United States Air Force. A true Top Gun, Jim graduated first in his basic flight training course and was presented the coveted Commander's Award. He flew numerous dangerous combat missions in Vietnam as a Wild Weasel in the F-100 single engine fighter jet. Through the course of his military career his honors of distinction encompassed service awards including, among others, the Distinguished Flying Cross, which was awarded him twice, and the Silver Star.
Jim and his wife Alana (Caldwell) Marquis of Demopolis, Alabama, were married in April 1967. Their only daughter, Danielle, was born the following year. He left military service shortly thereafter. An avid aviator, he flew for LTV Corporation of Grand Prairie, Texas, as a production test pilot before becoming a commercial airline pilot, flying for Air Florida and United Airlines. In addition to flying, Jim's career in commercial aviation included teaching, simulator training, and accident investigation. He was a motor cycle enthusiast and was always looking forward to his next great ride. He retired from United Airlines in 1999, and left his home base in Colorado to move to the great State of Texas, where he has maintained lifelong friends.
Jim was a beloved member of Shiloh Cumberland Presbyterian Church where he served as an Elder. A Bible scholar and gifted teacher, he also taught Sunday School and Bible Study. He was a good and faithful servant of the Lord, and is already greatly missed by the congregation who generously supported him to the end.
A devoted husband, father, and friend, Jim is survived by his wife of almost fifty-one years, Alana; his daughter Danielle Marquis Elder and her husband Joe of Cary, North Carolina, and their two children Ethan and Jacob; numerous in-laws, cousins, nieces, and nephews.
The family would like to extend special thanks to Oxford Glen at Grand Prairie where Jim lived for three months and to New Hope Hospice and Nurse Darlene Dickerson who cared for Jim in his final hours.
Visitation with the family is scheduled for Friday January 12, 2018 from 6:00 to 8:00 p.m. at Wayne Boze Funeral Home, 1826 W. Highway 287 Business, Waxahachie, Texas.
Funeral Services will be held Saturday, January 13, 2018 at 11:00 a.m. at Shiloh Cumberland Presbyterian Church, 7810 Shiloh Road, Midlothian, Texas.
In lieu of flowers, the family requests donation to Shiloh Cumberland Presbyterian Church or to St. Jude's Children's Research Hospital (www.stjude.org)

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