James Roland Headley

James Roland Headley passed away on Saturday, Nov. 21, 2020 of COVID-19 complications.

He was born in Dugger in 1929. He moved to Greencastle in 1938.

Jim was a 1946 graduate of Greencastle High School. He earned his college degree from Indiana State in 1951. It was there that he met his future wife, Peggy. They were married on Veterans Day 1951 and just celebrated 69 years of marriage.

Jim was a proud veteran of the U.S. Army, earning the rank of first lieutenant and being honorably discharged in 1954. His commitment to his country was unwavering throughout his life.

After the military, he joined his father and mother, Roland and Margaret, in a business that they recently purchased, renaming it Headley Hardware. It was there that he spent decades serving his community with a joke, a smile and a commitment.

Along his life journey, Jim and Peggy brought three children into the world, Markland (Tammy), Jamie (Randall) and Matthew (Karen). Over the years, his family extended further with the addition of grandchildren Roland, James (Laura), Maggie, Jeannette (Justin), Lossan, Preston, Olivia and great-grandson Jack. Jim was always committed to his family and fiercely loyal to them, and expected them to do their best and challenged them to do so. He is also survived by his sister Anne.

An avid fisherman, “Papaw” was always looking forward to the next family fishing trip and beamed when his grandchildren caught the biggest and the most.

Jim was a member of several service organizations such as the American Legion, the Veterans of Foreign Wars, the Masonic Temple and the Elks. He also served in Greencastle Planning and Zoning and the Putnam County Council. He gave his wisdom, his time and his resources to projects he believed in.

While he and Peg wintered in Florida upon retirement, Putnam County was always “home” to him. Springtime couldn’t come soon enough for him so he could return there.

Papaw/Dad/Jimmy/Jim/James/”Headley” will be missed greatly by his family and friends.

Military and Masonic services will be held at Forest Hill Cemetery on Saturday, Dec. 19 at 2 p.m.

Hopkins-Rector Funeral Home is in charge of arrangements.

Memories may be shared with the family at www.Hopkins-Rector.com.