James W. Zeberlein

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James W. Zeberlein

March 18, 1934 ~ September 18, 2021

James W. Zeberlein, age 87, peacefully passed away September 18, 2021 in North Salt Lake. He joins his of wife of 53 years, Ann Linthicum Zeberlein, who died February 2, 2011.

James is survived by his daughter Stephanie M. Chitty of Lawrenceville, Georgia; two sons and daughters-in-law, James W. Zeberlein, Jr. and his wife Pam of Salt Lake City, and Scott Zeberlein and his wife Donna of Jacksonville, Florida; his grandson and wife, Austin and Kathleen Zeberlein of Monroe, North Carolina and his granddaughter Natalie Chitty of Decatur, Georgia.

James was born to George and Constance Zeberlein in Baltimore, Maryland on March 18, 1934. He grew up there with his family and numerous aunts, uncles and cousins. Jim graduated from the United States Naval Academy, where he was a standout on Navy’s wrestling team and notorious for keeping a menagerie of pets in his room. He graduated and married his wife Ann in 1957.

After his commission and flight school, Jim started his family and began his career in Ohio, piloting the B47 Stratojet. In 1966, he was assigned to the 4th Air Commando Squadron, where he piloted the first of the fixed wing gunships, the Douglas AC-47 aka “Spooky.” He was awarded a Distinguished Flying Cross, the Air Medal with nine oak leaf clusters and the Republic of Vietnam’s Gallantry Cross.

After Vietnam, Jim earned a master’s degree in civil engineering from Arizona State University and spent the rest of his 22-year Air Force career managing engineering operations for bases in Turkey, Michigan and Georgia. He retired as a lieutenant colonel in 1979, settled in Georgia and began another career managing and modifying railway stations for Southern Railway until his final retirement in 1989. Jim loved trains from his childhood and especially enjoyed his work there.

The rest of his life was spent with family enjoying his grandkids, painting, the Ravens and Orioles, computers, talking politics and not having to shovel snow. Jim was a devout Roman Catholic who spent his life in faith, praying for grace and forgiveness, trusting in Jesus Christ. His funeral Mass was celebrated September 24 at St. Olaf Catholic Church. His ashes will be interned at a memorial service at the Naval Academy Cemetery & Columbarium on December 3, 2021. In lieu of flowers, please make a contribution in his name to St. Marguerite d’Youville Catholic Church, Lawrenceville, Georgia (stdmy.org).