James D. Radosevich

James “Jim” Douglas Radosevich, age 77, passed away on June 21, 2024. A funeral mass will be held on August 13th at 10am at St John Vianney Catholic Church. He will be laid to rest at the Cape Canaveral National Cemetery. Jim was born in New Mexico on August 26th; the only child of the late Joseph and Fay Radosevich. He graduated from New Mexico State University in 1968 and moved to the East Coast where he lived for many years in Bowie Maryland. He was drafted during the Vietnam War where he served in the Army at the Pentagon. He continued his years of service to his country in the reserves and retired as a Lieutenant Colonel. He worked as an electrical engineer at the Naval Audit Service and then at NASA in Washington DC. During his time at NASA, he was awarded the Silver Snoopy Award for his outstanding work. Jim married Linda Long in 1972; they celebrated their 52nd year of marriage last year. Jim and Linda moved to Orlando Florida after retirement. A lifelong Catholic, Jim celebrated his faith and joined St John Vianney parish where he served as a Eucharistic Minister and Minister to the Sick. The couple joined a prayer and study group among friends at the parish. Boy Scouts was very important to Jim. This year marked his 50th year involved with the organization. He began his scouting career as a Cub Scout in 1951. He earned the rank of Life as a Boy Scout. As an adult, he became active again as his sons joined the Scouts. He served roles for Pack 730 and Troop 403 in Bowie Maryland. As Scoutmaster for Troop 403, 25 scouts earned the rank of Eagle Scout. In Orlando, he served at the district and local levels (with troops 76 and 24) as well as a staff member on two national jamboree events. As district training chair he trained over 300 adult leaders. He also served with local Cub and Boy Scout groups to lead over 50 youth and 20 adults in earning their Catholic Religious Emblems. Jim earned many awards for his dedication to the Boy Scouts including the Silver Beaver Award, the National Presidents Scoutmaster Award of Merit, the Scoutmaster’s Key, the Outstanding Scoutmasters Award, the National Catholic Committee on Scouting’s St. George Emblem, the Unit Commissioner Arrowhead Honor, the Unit Commissioner's Key, and the District Award of Merit. He passed his love of scouting onto his family; his two sons are Eagle Scouts, his daughter has volunteered for the Scouts for 11 years, his son-in-law has volunteered for 4 years, and his two grandsons are Eagle Scouts. Jim’s other lifelong love was gardening. He started a vegetable garden in his backyard in the early 1970s. He continued to actively grow and harvest fruits and vegetables throughout the rest of his life. In 2008 he became a Master Gardener via the University of Florida Extension Service. In 2018 he was awarded the Legacy Award for his work on developing and implementing lesson plans for 5th graders, 3 and 4-year-old Head Start students, and the parents and teachers of said students. He worked with the Callahan Center and Head Start to support a gardening and education program there that continues to this day. The children and staff affectionately called him “Mr. Jim”. Jim leaves behind his widow Linda; three children David, Cindy, and Steven; daughter-in law Amy; son-in-law Jeff; three grandchildren Tyler, Logan and Vanessa, and his many cousins and friends. In lieu of flowers please consider donating to a memorial tree and plaque as well as to a fund to provide for the local Head Start students. Information can be found here https://everloved.com/life-of/james-radosevich/ “The man who is blind to the beauties of nature has missed half the pleasure of life.” -Lord Robert Baden-Powell, founder of Boy Scouts.

James D. Radosevich

August 26, 1946 - June 21, 2024