Cloid James "Jim" Sowell, 83, passed away March 14, 2011 at the Charlotte Hall Veterans Home in Charlotte Hall, MD. He was born August 22, 1927 in Ringling, Oklahoma to Cloid and Johnnie (Chapman) Sowell.

He was raised in Oklahoma, attended public schools and joined the U.S. Merchant Marine in 1943 at the age of 16. He served in the Pacific Theater aboard a gasoline tanker ship, and later enlisted in the US Air Force. His training specialty in the Air Force was as a weather observation technician (meteorologist), and he was instrumental in predicting weather conditions during the Berlin airlift from 1946-49.

He married Christine McLuckie June 17, 1947 and his military career led them to numerous duty stations in Germany, England, Tinker Field Air Force Base in Midwest City, OK and Alaska. He retired from the Air Force January 31, 1966 as a Tech Sergeant and began a career in meteorology with the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration in Suitland, MD.

He and Christine lived in Washington, D.C., Suitland and District Heights, MD prior to her death on January 9, 1979. Jim was later married to Jean Cameron from 1986 until her death in 2007. Since 2004 he had resided at the Charlotte Hall Veterans Home where he was active as co-chairman of the residence committee.

In his leisure time Jim enjoyed computers, bird feeding and being an expert weatherman. He had been a member of the Boy Scouts, the Masonic Lodge and the Kiwanis Club.

Preceded in death by his wives Christine and Jean, Jim is survived by four children: Allison D. Mooney and her husband Fran of Dunkirk, MD, James J. Sowell of Laurel, MD, H. Lee Sowell and his wife Barbara of Chesapeake Beach, MD and Christina Janet Sowell of Dowell, MD. He is also survived by eight grandchildren, six great-grandchildren, stepchildren Bonnie Barry and her husband Billy of Deale, MD and Steve Cameron of Prince Frederick, MD, and by two step-grandchildren.

A memorial service and celebration of Jim's life will be held at 11:00 AM on Saturday March 19, 2011 at Dunkirk Baptist Church, 11275 Southern Maryland Boulevard, Dunkirk, MD. Reverend Rick Hancock will officiate.

Expressions of sympathy in Mr. Sowell's name may be made to the charity of one's choice.

Arrangements provided by Rausch Funeral Home.