James O. Southard

Hancock- James Oliver Southard, 87, of Hancock died Monday morning, August 29, 2011.
Born on September 9, 1923 at the family homestead on Knapps Road in Stephentown, NY, son of Anna (Caverly) Southard and Walter Calvin Southard, James grew up in Stephentown and Hancock.
A 1940 graduate of New Lebanon High School, he joined the Navy in September 1942. Assigned to LST-29 he was part of the initial Pacific Theater Island Hopping Campaign, seeing action in the Gilberts, Marshalls, and Marianas invasions and at Okinawa. He was honorably discharged in December 1945 as a Signalman Third Class, and married Marjorie L. Southard of Hancock on March 23, 1947 at the First Baptist Church in Lebanon Springs, NY. James worked for many years as a laurel picker for Engwer Florist Supply of Troy, NY, and as a carpenter for T.A. Ward Co., Newell Street, Pittsfield. He served as Town Clerk of Hancock in 1964 and 1965. He enjoyed the companionship of his extended family, and the solitude of the great outdoors. He loved gardening, canning, wine-making, putting down a crock of good ol’ green tomatoes and one of sauerkraut, and a nice visit with anyone who stopped by.
He leaves his wife of 64 years, Marjorie, his daughters Susan and Nancy, sons James, Christopher, and Bruce, as well as six grandchildren and six great-grandchildren. He was predeceased by eight of his siblings and one grandson, and is survived by a brother Stephen of Becket, a sister Frances of Daytona Beach, FL, and a limitless supply of fond memories.
A memorial service will be held on Friday, September 9, 2011 at noon at the Hancock Baptist Church, a light lunch to follow. In lieu of flowers, donations in memory of James may be made to Hospice Care in The Berkshires, Inc. Arrangements by Hall & Higgins Funeral Home of Stephentown.