James Aloysius Wathen, age 81, of Helen, MD passed away on July 14, 2011 in Leonardtown, MD. Born on August 11, 1929 in Leonardtown, MD, he was the son of the late William Ford Wathen and Katherine Harden Wathen.

He was married on July 30, 1966 at St. Joseph's Catholic Church in Morganza, MD to Dorothy Jean Wathen.

Mr Wathen is survived by his children; Linda Marie Garner (Ricky) of Hollywood, MD; David Aloysius Wathen (Jennifer) of Clements, MD; Jerry Allen Wathen (Laura) of Hollywood, MD; Joseph Larry Wathen (Laura) of Clements, MD; Charles Bernard Wathen of Helen, MD: Donald Ray Wathen (Angela) of Hollywood, MD; Shaun Lee Wathen (Rebecca) of Mechanicsville, MD and Karen Lisa Wathen. Mr. Wathen is also survived by his 8 grandchildren; Rachel Robbins, Raianna Garner, Angel Stalker, Blake Wathen, Allie Wathen, Ashlyn Wathen, Ava Wathen and Lillian Wathen, and a sister, Susan Elizabeth Howe (Paul) of Morganza, MD.

Mr. Wathen was preceded in death by his siblings; John Plowden Wathen, Sr., Joseph Mitchell Wathen, Mary Virgie Lusby, Agnes Theresa Harding, James Tilton Wathen, William Douglas Wathen, Mary Catherine Harding and Wilmer Claude Wathen.

Mr. Wathen was a lifelong resident of St. Mary's County. After serving 22 years as a security guard with Pepco, he retired to follow his passion—farming. Farming was a way of life for Mr. Wathen. He was even more passionate about his family and providing for his wife and eight children. Aloysius was very active at St. Joseph's Catholic Church. He loved spending time with his family and attending card parties to play pitch.

A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated on Monday, July 18, 2011 at 10:00 AM in St. Joseph's Catholic Church, Morganza, MD. Interment will follow in the church cemetery.

The family will receive friends on Sunday, July 17, 2011 from 2:00 PM - 5:00 PM in the Mattingley-Gardiner Funeral Home, Leonardtown, MD where prayers will be recited at 3:00 PM.

Arrangements provided by Mattingley-Gardiner Funeral Home.