James "Jim" Throop Sr., 76, of Bella Vista, Ark., died Friday, Aug. 10, 2007, at the Veterans Affairs Medical Center in Fayetteville, Ark. He was born May 21, 1931, in Syracuse, N. Y., to Ray Throop and Thelma Throop. He attended Ridgewood High School and received an appointment to the U. S. Naval Academy. After graduating among the top of his class in 1953 and completing flight training in Florida and Texas, he received his wings in 1955 and spent four tours of sea duty, flying from six aircraft carriers specializing in anti-submarine warfare. He continued service to his country after studying aeronautical engineering at the Navy's post-graduate school in California. He spent the next several years alternating shore and sea duty, including assignments at the Navy's Air Development Command, the Armed Forces Staff College, the Operational Test and Evaluation Force, and Air System Command at the Pentagon. He served as a math and computing teacher at the Naval followed his fourth sea duty, when he served as first executive officer, then as commanding officer. He went on to serve another assignment at the Pentagon's Navy Air Warfare division, and before long he was promoted to captain. After two last tours, including exchange duty to the U. S. Army, he retired from the U. S. Navy in 1980. After his retirement he was a teacher at Valley Forge Military Academy and at Crowder College. He moved to Bella Vista in 1988 and retired completely in 1993. He was a member of St. Theodore's Episcopal Church in Bella Vista. He was preceded in death by his wife, Doris H. Kay Throop, in January 2000. Survivors include two sons, James R. Throop Jr. and Glen A. Throop; four daughters, Gail H. Throop, Pamela K. Throop, Janice A. Black and Alison M. Throop; and six grandchildren. A memorial service will be held Monday, Sept. 24, at the U. S. Naval Academy in Annapolis, Md. Arrangements are by the Bella Vista Funeral Home and Crematory. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to the American Diabetes Association, P. O. Box 11454, Alexandria, VA 22312; to the Parkinson's Disease Foundation, 1359 Broadway, Suite 1509, New York, NY 10018; or to the Alzheimer's Association, 225 N. Michigan Ave

Submitted by Jack D.