James Allen Detch

James Allen Detch (1st Lt. USMC Ret.) born November 26, 1946 to Allen Spencer and Ruth Burnett Detch of Bullville, NY, passed away suddenly at home Wednesday, February 7, 2018.
Jim was a graduate of Pine Bush High School, where he played varsity football. As a young man he worked hard on his family’s dairy farm, rising early to tend to his duties before going to school each morning. He then went on to obtain a Bachelor of Science degree from Cornell University. At Cornell, he played Lightweight football (now known as Sprint Football). Jim proudly served his country as a United States Marine fighting in the Vietnam War 1968-1969 where he was badly wounded. He spent two years recovering at St. Albans Naval Hospital where Jim met the love of his life, Karen Liddy who survives him at home. They were married in St. Albans on March 20, 1971.
For many years Jim worked on Wall Street in various capacities, primarily as a loan officer. However, many years later, he wanted to pursue a career change. In 1995, Jim obtained a nursing degree and loved being a critical care nurse at Horton Hospital. Through his many degrees and occupations, though, his true love had always been farming! From working his family’s farm as a child, to dairy farming with his bride, to baling hay at Detchton Farms with his children and brother, he was never happier than when he was up on a tractor making hay!

Jim beamed with pride for his children who have survived him; son, Dr. Robert Detch and wife Dr. Ellen Wang of Burlingame, CA with their sons Spencer, Callen James, and Emmett; daughter, Jessica Zwart and husband
Michael of Circleville, with their children Nickolas James and Ruth. Jim’s grandchildren were a true source of joy. He had a very special opportunity to watch his grandson Nickolas follow in his football legacy, playing his first season of Pine Bush modified football this past fall.

He is survived by sister-in-law Erna Detch of Brattleboro, VT, sister-in-law Martha Liddy of Holden, MA, and sister-in-law Jean Orawsky and husband George, of Worcester, MA, as well as many nieces and nephews he
loved and adored. Passing on before Jim were his brother Charles Detch, and brother-in-law Peter Liddy.

Visitation will be Sunday, February 11, 2018 from 4-7pm at Millspaugh Funeral Home, 22 Bank St., Walden, NY. Funeral Services will be held Monday, February 12, 2018 at 11 a.m. at Amazing Grace Fellowship Church,
20 Warn Ave., Pine Bush, NY. 
In lieu of flowers, Jim’s family graciously asks that donations be made in his honor to the 12th Rock Sports Ministries, 680 Route 211, Suite 3B-167, Middletown, NY 10941 or Cornell Sprint Football (Robert Cullen Fund). Both were near and dear to his heart.

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