James Wesley "Jim" Ham, 78, of Leonardtown, MD died June 16, 2008 at his residence. Born January 13, 1930 in Detroit. MI he was the son of James Earl and Kate McCardal Ham. He was the loving husband of Dorothy Marie Ham whom he married on March 21, 1951 in St. Aloysius Catholic Church, Leonardtown, MD.

He is survived by his children James E. Ham of Baltimore, MD, Shawn Curtis and her husband John and Chris Wilson and his wife Dawn all of Leonardtown, MD; sister: Betty J. Ham of Milwaukee, WI and 7 grandchildren.

He was preceded in death by his daughter Cheryl J. Wilson and his brother Frank M. Ham.

Jim moved to St. Mary's County in 1972 from Wisconsin. He worked as a maintenance worker at St. Mary's Square, Lexington Park, MD for 10 years until his retirement in 1987. He served in the U.S. Marines for 3 years from 1948 – 1952 where he received the Purple Heart award. He was a member of D.A.V. organization. He enjoyed spending time with his family and meeting friends at McDonalds and helping others.

The family will receive friends on Thursday, June 19, 2008 from 5:00 – 8:00 PM in the Mattingley-Gardiner Funeral Home, where Prayers will be said at 7:00 PM. A Funeral Service will be held on Friday, June 20, 2008 at 10:00 AM in the Mattingley-Gardiner Funeral Home Chapel with Pastor John Smith officiating. Interment will follow in Charles Memorial Gardens, Leonardtown, MD. Pallbearers will be Chris Wilson, John Curtis, Matthew Wilson, David Hayden, Jr., Richard Pratt and Mitchel Watts. Honorary Pallbearers will be Brandon Curtis, Kaylyn Curtis, Cheryl Wilson, Autumn Bowles and Kelsey Davis.

Contributions may be made to Hospice of St. Mary's, P.O. Box 625, Leonardtown, MD 20650 and/or Leonardtown Volunteer Rescue Squad, P.O. Box 299, Leonardtown, MD 20650.

Arrangements provided by the Mattingley-Gardiner Funeral Home, P.A.