Obituary of James Edward Masters

James Edward “Jim” Masters, 88, of Mitchellville, Maryland, passed away on 1 January 2022 at Villa Rosa Nursing and Rehabilitation Center in Mitchellville.

Jim was born in Oakmont, Pennsylvania, to Paul Edward Masters and Irene Stephens Masters on 8 January 1933.  He graduated from Oakmont High School (Alleghany County) in 1950, and attended Staunton Military Academy prior to entering the United States Naval Academy in the summer of 1951. Upon graduation from the Naval Academy with the Class of 1955, Jim received a commission as a 2^nd Lieutenant in the United States Marine Corps.

Highlights of LtCol Masters’ 22-year career as a Marine include assignment with an infantry battalion at Guantanamo Bay, Cuba, during the Cuban Missile Crisis in 1962. As a Captain, Jim came ashore in Vietnam with the 3^rd Battalion, 9^th Marines, 3^rd Marine Division, the first battalion of ground combat troops to conduct an amphibious landing at Da Nang, Vietnam in 1965.  Jim culminated his career as a member of the Joint Chiefs of Staff National Emergency Airborne Command Post, serving until his retirement in August, 1977.

Jim was a talented artist and after his service with the Marines, was self-employed as a professional artist.  He worked primarily in oil and travelled across Maryland to paint landscapes. Jim also did commission portraits, as well as pen & ink, watercolor and pastel drawings.  He loved to teach art and operated an art teaching studio.

Jim served as a lay reader and Elder at Saint Paul’s Moravian Church in Upper Marlboro, Maryland.

Jim is survived by his wife Barbara, his son Karl, grandchildren Kristina, Nellya, and Christian, and four great grandchildren.  Jim is predeceased by his son Jonathan Edward Masters and his grandson Jonathan Evgeni Masters .

A memorial service will be held at Saint Paul’s Moravian Church in Upper Marlboro, Maryland at 1100 on 22 January 2022. Inurnment will be July 18 2022 1400 at the United States Naval Academy Columbarium, Oratory.

Advent Funeral Home in Lanham, Maryland is handling funeral arrangements.