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James Earl “Jim” Fortin

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James Earl “Jim” Fortin

Birth	:	30 Jul 1936 Redfield, Spink County, South Dakota, USA
Death	:	30 May 2013 Watertown, Codington County, South Dakota, USA
Burial	:	Black Hills National Cemetery, Sturgis, Meade County, USA
Coordinate	:	44.3689003, -103.4753036
Plot	:	COL-A ROW E SITE 112
Description	:	James E. Jim Fortin Jul 30 1936 - May 30 2013 James E. "Jim" Fortin, age 76 years and 10 months, of Watertown, SD, passed away on Thursday, May 30, 2013, at the hospital in Watertown. Funeral Rites will be at 10:30 a.m. on Monday, June 3, 2013, at St. Joseph's Catholic Church in Turton, SD. The celebrant will be Deacon Gordon Richard. Music will be provided by Rosemary Sanderson. A reception will be held at 2:30 p.m. on Monday at the V.F.W. in Watertown. Burial will take place at a later date at the Black Hills National Cemetery... Read More	James E. Jim Fortin Jul 30 1936 - May 30 2013 James E. "Jim" Fortin, age 76 years and 10 months, of Watertown, SD, passed away on Thursday, May 30, 2013, at the hospital in Watertown. Funeral Rites will be at 10:30 a.m. on Monday, June 3, 2013, at St. Joseph's Catholic Church in Turton, SD. The celebrant will be Deacon Gordon Richard. Music will be provided by Rosemary Sanderson. A reception will be held at 2:30 p.m. on Monday at the V.F.W. in Watertown. Burial will take place at a later date at the Black Hills National Cemetery in Sturgis, SD. Military honors will be conducted by the Marine Corps League-Kampeska N.E. Det. #1079, Frank H. Adams Post #750 of Veterans of Foreign Wars, Codington County Post #17 of the American Legion and the Vietnam Veterans of America Chapter #1054 all of Watertown, SD. Pallbearers will be Jim's nephews: Loren Smith, Larry Smith, Hal Fortin, Chad Fortin (honorary), Victor Fortin, Tony Fortin, Rob Fortin, Rod Fortin, Todd Fortin, Jon Fortin, Jason Board and Casey Board. Visitation will be at the Crawford Funeral Chapel in Watertown on Sunday from 2 to 4 p.m. with a prayer service at 4:00 p.m. led by Jodi Engels. Visitation will continue prior to services at the church in Turton on Monday. Jim was born on July 30, 1936, at Redfield, SD, to Victor and Lorene (Wolfgram) Fortin. He graduated from Turton High School in 1954. Following graduation, he worked in Wichita, KS, at a grain elevator. Jim enlisted in the U.S. Marine Corps in 1955. After reaching the rank of Staff Sargent, he was selected for the Warrant Officer program with orders to serve in Vietnam as an RO (radar officer) with the F-4 Phantoms. Upon reaching Japan, Jim was informed that only commissioned officers could serve in that position. He was then sent back to the US to attend officer training school and was commissioned as 2nd Lieutenant. Jim served two tours in Vietnam receiving 4 ACE awards for reaching 410 combat missions. He served with four of his brothers at different times in Vietnam. Jim served a total of 21 years, retiring in 1976, as Major, out of Yuma, AZ. Following an honorable discharge, Jim returned to Doland, SD, with his family. He worked various jobs around the area and was very active in the American Legion and many other community activities. He moved to Watertown in 1983 where he worked various jobs including DMI. He became active in the V.F.W. in 1987. Jim married Gloria Skelton on April 29, 1989, at Watertown. He was a member of the Marine Corps League, V.F.W., American Legion and the Vietnam Veterans of America. Gloria shared his passion for the veteran organizations as they were both very active in the V.F.W. He was the Outstanding Post Commander for 1990-91, receiving the Baker Simpson Award; the District Commander for 1991-92, receiving the Tice-Gallagher Award; and the State Commander for 1994-95. He received the Sorenson Award in 2011 as ‘Outstanding Veteran of the Year'. Jim was very devoted to doing anything he could to support or raise money for the veterans and their causes. He will be dearly missed by any and all veteran organizations. Jim is survived by his wife, Gloria, of Watertown, SD; four children: Michelle (Mark) Ell of Rapid City, SD; Dale (Deb) Fortin of Huron, SD, Shane Fortin of Doland, SD, and James Fortin of Rapid City, SD; five stepchildren: Creig Maifield of Watertown, SD, Deann (Merle) Gulbranson of Colman, SD, Arthur (Deb) Maifield of Watertown, SD, Jackie (Chuck) Callahan of Florida and Carrie Gardiner of Watertown, SD; five grandchildren: Matthew and Jesse Fortin and Mindi, Mandi and Malorie Ell; one great-grandson, Cash Fortin; his mother, Lorene Fortin of Doland, SD; seven brothers: Roger Fortin of Doland, SD, Richard (Shari) Fortin of Aurora, CO, Ken (Joyce) Fortin of Doland, SD, Dan (Donna) Fortin of Swansboro, NC, Steve Fortin of Watertown, SD, Norb (Janet) Fortin of Watertown, SD, and Delbert (Janelle) Fortin of Redfield, SD; three sisters: Carol (Floyd) Smith of Conde, SD, Bonnie (Ken) Hiles of Doland, SD, and Sherry (Wayne) Board of Doland, SD; and several nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by his father, Victor, in 1978; and two brothers, Robert Gene in 1971 and Terrence Frances in 2000

frequently asked questions (FAQ):

Where is James Earl “Jim” Fortin's memorial?
James Earl “Jim” Fortin's memorial is located at: Black Hills National Cemetery, Sturgis, Meade County, USA.
When did James Earl “Jim” Fortin death?
James Earl “Jim” Fortin death on 30 May 2013 in Watertown, Codington County, South Dakota, USA
Where are the coordinates of the James Earl “Jim” Fortin's memorial?
Latitude: 44.3689003
Longitude: -103.4753036

Family Members:

Parent

Victor Paul Fortin

(1912 - 1978)

Lorene Desneige Wolfgram Fortin

(1916 - 2016)

Siblings

Carol Lee Fortin Smith

(1938 - 2022)

Terrance Francis “Terry” Fortin

(1941 - 2000)

WO Robert Gene Fortin

(1949 - 1971)

Flowers:

Nearby Cemetories:

1. Black Hills National Cemetery
Sturgis, Meade County, USA
Coordinate: 44.3689003, -103.4753036

2. Curley Grimes Memorial Cemetery
Sturgis, Meade County, USA
Coordinate: 44.3764500, -103.4691300

3. Fort Meade National Cemetery
Sturgis, Meade County, USA
Coordinate: 44.4021988, -103.4757996

4. Bear Butte Cemetery
Sturgis, Meade County, USA
Coordinate: 44.4111595, -103.4947968

5. Saint Aloysius Cemetery
Sturgis, Meade County, USA
Coordinate: 44.4141340, -103.5193420

6. Pleasant Valley Cemetery
Tilford, Meade County, USA
Coordinate: 44.3192500, -103.3531160

7. Galena Cemetery
Galena, Lawrence County, USA
Coordinate: 44.3349220, -103.6438410

8. Crook City Cemetery
Crook City, Lawrence County, USA
Coordinate: 44.4432100, -103.6241500

9. Piedmont Cemetery
Piedmont, Meade County, USA
Coordinate: 44.2425780, -103.3871730

10. Oak Ridge Cemetery
Deadwood, Lawrence County, USA
Coordinate: 44.3891983, -103.6766968

11. Whitewood Cemetery
Whitewood, Lawrence County, USA
Coordinate: 44.4617820, -103.6330030

12. Roubaix Cemetery
Roubaix, Lawrence County, USA
Coordinate: 44.2789380, -103.6656600

13. Mount Moriah Cemetery
Deadwood, Lawrence County, USA
Coordinate: 44.3760986, -103.7253036

14. Saint Ambrose Cemetery
Deadwood, Lawrence County, USA
Coordinate: 44.3821983, -103.7266998

15. Nemo Cemetery
Nemo, Lawrence County, USA
Coordinate: 44.1872800, -103.5066410

16. Anderson Cemetery
Lawrence County, USA
Coordinate: 44.4747009, -103.6896973

17. South Lead Cemetery
Lead, Lawrence County, USA
Coordinate: 44.3478510, -103.7606260

18. Little Dane Cemetery
Saint Onge, Lawrence County, USA
Coordinate: 44.5252500, -103.6705540

19. Mountain Meadow Cemetery
Lawrence County, USA
Coordinate: 44.2038994, -103.6557999

20. West Lead Cemetery
Lead, Lawrence County, USA
Coordinate: 44.3484001, -103.7779999

21. Gate of Heaven Cemetery
Saint Onge, Lawrence County, USA
Coordinate: 44.5353000, -103.7237000

22. Terry Cemetery
Terry, Lawrence County, USA
Coordinate: 44.3344290, -103.8165110

23. Vale Cemetery
Vale, Butte County, USA
Coordinate: 44.6138992, -103.4052963

24. Holy Cross Cemetery
Englewood, Lawrence County, USA
Coordinate: 44.2818985, -103.8047028