Obituary of James S. Ditzler

James Storms Ditzler, 97, of 216 Aldren Ave. Jamestown, passed away at 8:40 a.m. Wednesday, May 3, 2017, in the Lutheran Home and Rehabilitation Center. Jim was born October 24, 1919 in Buffalo, NY a son of the late James DeWald Ditzler and Naomi Storms Ditzler. He moved to Jamestown, NY with his family when he was a small child. He was preceded in death by his wife the former Rachel Ball Ditzler whom he married November 26, 1943. The wedding ceremony was performed in the Methodist Episcopal Church in Washington, DC by Frederick Brown Harris, Chaplain of the United States Senate. He was a graduate of Jamestown High School where he was a member of the Braw Caddie Clan Fraternity. He was also a 1942 graduate of Colgate University where he was a member of the Beta Theta Pi Fraternity. He was a veteran of the U.S. Army serving during World War II for 41/2 years. His tours of duty overseas in the South Pacific include New Caledonia, New Guinea, the Philipines and Japan. Jim was a retired executive for the former Ames-Burns Corporation of Jamestown for 40 years retiring as President in 1985. He was a longtime member of St. Luke's Episcopal Church where he served on the vestry for 12 years. Jim had a keen interest in all sports and was an avid golfer and tennis player. He was a member of the Moon Brook Country Club, the International Seniors Golf Association, a former member of the Circumnavigators Club in New York City, having flown around the world. He was also active in the Jamestown YMCA, the Lakewood Yacht Club and a longtime member of the Robert H. Jackson Society. In 1975, Jim, Joe Milham, Norm Turcotte and Stanley Weeks spent 3 weeks in Scotland where they played 17 different golf courses. Jim and his late wife Rachel traveled worldwide and were members of the Fine Arts Travel Society. Jim is survived by two nephews, Douglas J. Linquest of Fayetteville, NY, Thomas Linquest of Syracuse, NY, a niece, Amy Linquest Norton of Cazenovia, NY and a grand niece, Sarah Eleanor Linquest of Fayetteville. A memorial service will be held at 11:30 a.m. May 20th, 2017 in St. Luke's Episcopal Church. The Rev. Luke F. Fodor, Rector will officiate. Inurnment will be in the St. Luke's Church Columbarium. Visitation will not be observed. Memorials may be made to the St. Luke's Episcopal Church, 410 North Main St. Jamestown, NY 14701.