James Michael Story

James Michael Story, age 80, unexpectedly left us to join the saints in Heaven, on Sunday, July 23, 2023 at UofM Charles Regional Medical Center surrounded by his family. He was born in La Plata across the street at the then named Physicians Memorial Hospital on December 31, 1942 to the late Felton Otis Story and Agnes Smalley Story. In addition to his parents, he was predeceased by his brothers Ronald Felton and Francis Dwayne Story, his father-in-law Robert Arthur Hare, and niece Jennifer Love Hare. He is survived by his wife of 56 years Carolyn Martha (Hare) Story, son Benjamin Felton Story, grandsons Jared Nathaniel Story and Ian Charles Story, his sister Laverne (Story) Stanley, mother-in-law Virginia May (Robertson) Hare, brother-in-law James Robert Hare (Geri), nephews Jason Hendren (Robin), Daniel Hendren (Tabitha), Christopher Scott Hare (Julie), niece Amanda Leigh Hare, great nephews Jaeden Hendren, Maverick Hendren, Alexander Scott Hare, great-nieces Reagan Hendren, Lindsey Anne Hare, and Vienna Bethany Hare, nephews and niece by marriage Kristopher, Timothy, and Allison, along with numerous cousins, aunts, uncles, and his loving family of Potomac Heights Baptist Church. Jim grew up in Indian Head and graduated from Lackey High School in 1960. He graduated from Charles County Community College in 1962, then attended Mars Hill College in NC for 2 years. He transferred to Shepherd College in Shepherdstown, WV where he graduated in 1966 with a BS in Biology and a minor in History. This is where Jim met Carolyn and they fell in love. He joined the United States Air Force in April, 1966 and after basic training was assigned to Sheppard Air Force Base, TX as an instructor in entomology. He came home on leave in August and proposed to Carolyn. Originally they were to be married in June 1967 but Jim couldn't wait (plus he wanted to get out of the barracks.) They moved up the date twice and were married on December 26, 1966 at Ormes Methodist Church in Middle River, MD. They lived in Wichita Falls and Burkburnett, Texas during his enlistment. Jim separated from the Air Force in April, 1970 and they returned to Maryland, bought a house in Accokeek and Jim began his career with the State of Maryland as a Health Inspector for the Charles County Health Department. His first office was in the building that once was Physicians Memorial Hospital. In 1971, they moved to their current home in Oak Hill Estates in Pomfret, where he also became the official operator for the subdivision's well water system, a service for his community which he provided for 50 years. He retired from the Health Department in 1995. He then worked part time as the Minister of Maintenance at Potomac Heights Baptist Church, part time as a well operator for Water Services Inc., Waldorf, and taught for several years at Potomac Heights Christian Academy before he retired full time. Jim was the youngest charter member of Potomac Heights Baptist Church. He served as a youth Sunday School teacher for a few years, Sunday School teacher for the Senior Saints for many years, deacon, elder, and a member of the Pastor Search Committee that brought Pastor Brian Sanderfer to the church. He loved his church family and missed seeing them when his memory began to fade, and he felt uncomfortable being around more than a few people at a time. Jim loved history (especially the Civil War) and enjoyed visiting historical sites when he was still able. He acquired a very large library of history books, especially ones on the War Between the States, WWI, WWII, and Vietnam. That interest in history, plus the fact that many of his ancestors fought and died in the War Between the States led him to join and enjoy the friendships he made in the Pvt. Wallace Bowling Camp of the Sons of Confederate Veterans. He also enjoyed movies and documentaries that covered those wars along with fictional movies and TV shows such as the Indiana Jones series, Star Wars and Star Trek. He enjoyed the many camping trips his family took, the trip to Colorado to visit his lifelong friend Bill Flowers, and the two trips to Hawaii when Ben was stationed there while in the Navy. Even though he was working while on his military trips to California, Germany, and Turkey, he enjoyed the sites and cultures there. In Turkey, he went to Ephesus and saw places mentioned in the Bible. He had two TDYs to Germany and attended Octoberfest and returned with souvenirs for family and friends. Jim always looked forward to being around his family in Georgia, Maryland, Texas and Pennsylvania. They brought great joy to his heart. He was sad that he was unable to be around them all more often. We were thankful he was able to make one last trip to his beloved Lincolnton GA in mid-June. It was a whirlwind 3 day trip with Carolyn, Ben and Ian to pick up some family heirlooms. He visited his parents' and ancestors' graves at Salem Baptist Church, walked some of the main street in town, visited the Historical Park, and enjoyed some delicious fried chicken from the Chicken House. Visitation will be on Friday, August 4, 2023 from 2-4 pm and 6-8 pm. The funeral will be on Saturday, August 5, 2023 at 11 am. The visitation and funeral will be held at Potomac Heights Baptist Church (PHBC), 37 Glymont Road, Indian Head, MD 20640. The service will be streamed live via the church's web page www.phbc.com. Interment will take place on August 15 at 1:00 pm at Cheltenham Veterans Cemetery. In lieu of flowers, donations can be made in honor/memory of Jim to PHBC, P. O. Box 572, Indian Head, MD 20640; Salem Baptist Church, 2476 Leathersville Road, Lincolnton, GA 30817; Maryland Veterans Museum, P. O. Box 2123, La Plata, MD 20646; Special Olympics Montgomery County, 980 Harvest Drive, Suite 203, Blue Bell, PA 19422; or to a charity of your choice. Condolences may be left at www.raymondfuneralservice.com.

James Michael Story

December 31, 1942 - July 23, 2023