James J. Ickes, 78, of California, MD died on March 14, 2015 at his residence. James was born on February 22, 1937 in Indian Head, MD. He was the son of the late James M. and Juanita Cooker Ickes.

Raised in St Mary's county, he graduated from Great Mills High School and joined the United States Air Force in 1954. On October 21, 1957 he married Sharon Duchnowski of Middle Island, NY. They met while he was stationed at the West Hampton A. F. B. on Long Island, NY. He retired from the Air Force in Rome, NY in 1974 after twenty years of service. The family returned to Southern Maryland where he worked for the Civil Service at Patuxent River Naval Air Station as a Supervisor of Supply and Shipping for twenty years.

He was an avid golfer and enjoyed hunting with his son and grandsons. He and his wife loved to go camping and would often travel to their campsite in the Catskills to spend time with family and friends.

He was a beloved husband of 57 years, father, grandfather and great-grandfather. He is survived by his wife, Sharon Ickes, of California, MD, sons James J Ickes, Jr. (Lynette) of Great Mills, MD and Troy K Ickes (Andrew) of Sunderland, MD, four grandchildren, Keith J Ickes (Tiffany) of Tampa, FL, James J Ickes III (fiancé Ashley) of Salisbury, MD, Sharon L Ickes of Mechanicsville, MD, and Christopher L Ickes (Rebecca) of Leonardtown, MD, four great-grandchildren and a step-great-granddaughter. He is also survived by two sisters, Nona Hickey (Tom) of Lexington Park, MD, and Bobbie Dominaick of Ft. Lauder, FL. He leaves a host of in-laws, nieces, nephews and wonderful friends. He is predeceased by his parents and two sisters, Donna Ross of Owensboro, KY and Shirley Hill of Rough, KY.

Family will receive friends for James' Life Celebration on Thursday, March 19, 2015 from 12:00 to 1:00 p.m. at the Brinsfield Funeral Home, 22955 Hollywood Road, Leonardtown, MD 20650. Interment will be private. Honorary pallbearers will be James Caldwell, Stephen Caldwell, David Dominaick, Dennis Duchnowski, Erik Duchnowski, Thomas Hickey, Thomas Hickey Jr., and Timothy Hickey.

Memorial contributions can be made to the Hospice House of St Mary's, P.O. Box 625, Leonardtown, MD 20650, or the Lexington Park Rescue Squad, P.O. Box 339, Lexington Park, MD 20653. Arrangements provided by the Brinsfield Funeral Home, P.A.