James Louis Kusewitt, 88 of Greenville, passed away peacefully at his home August 31, 2019. Jim was born March 19, 1931 in East St. Louis, Illinois to Olga and John B. Kusewitt. He married Norma Gwynne Pfeifer on February 4, 1961 in Belleville, Illinois.
He joined the Air Force during the Korean War where he worked on missile systems and attained the rank of Staff Sergeant. Jim earned a BS in Electrical Engineering from Washington University in St. Louis and a Masters Degree in Electrical Engineering from St. Louis University. He worked at McDonald Douglas Aircraft in St. Louis where he had the honor to work with astronauts in Florida on the Gemini space capsule simulator creating problems that might occur in space.
They moved to Palo Alto, CA where he worked at Ford Philco for a time; then moved to Greenville, Texas in 1966 where Jim accepted a position as a Systems Engineer at E-Systems. He retired from E-Systems in 1993 after 27 years of service. He was an elder in the Presbyterian church and he served as Treasurer for many years. He was the founder of the Retired Men’s Group at United Presbyterian and devoted many hours to the Property Committee there.
He was a member of Golden Kiwanis and enjoyed participating in Meals on Wheels.
Jim always had a smile and a joke on hand to tell. He was an eternal optimist and enjoyed life to the fullest. When asked, he was always willing to help out a friend or stranger. Jim was a loving husband, Daddy, and Papa who enjoyed his family.
He is survived by his wife of 58 years; his son, John and wife, Paula; his daughter, Nicki Lorraine and husband, John; granddaughter, Sarah Baucom; grandson, Christopher Baucom and wife, Rachel; and great-granddaughter, Kathryn Joann Baucom.
He was preceded in death by his parents; brother, John Kusewitt and sisters, Helen and Ruth Kusewitt.
A memorial service will be held Saturday, September 7, 2019 at 2:00 p.m. at the United Presbyterian Church with Rev. Candice Womack officiating. Services are under the direction of Coker-Mathews Funeral Home.
In lieu of flowers, memorials can be made to the Property Committee at United Presbyterian Church, 5905 Stonewall, Greenville, Texas 75402.
