James ""Jimmy"" H. Case

James ""Jimmy"" H. Case passed away on July 24, 2015 in Westminster, Colorado. He was born in Spartanburg, South Carolina on July 17, 1928 to Nina Mae Frady and and William Henry Case. In 1946, Jimmy enlisted in the U.S. Navy where he was awarded the Victory Medal. He then served in the U.S. Air Force where he was awarded the Korean Service Medal, UN Service Medal, National Defense Medal and Good Conduct Medal. He later served several years in the Tennessee Defense Force. Jimmy knew from a young age that he wanted to play music and become a country music artist. He purchased his first guitar for $4.95 from a local pawn shop in Greenville, South Carolina by paying fifty cents down and fifty cents per week. His dream of becoming an entertainer unfolded in the 1940's, 50's and 60's. He formed his first band ""The Hickory Hollar Hardheads"" while in the Navy and entertained his shipmates when time permitted. Jimmy later became a member of the ""Blue Grass Champs"" and performed several times on Arthur Godfrey's popular variety show. He also won the U.S. Air Force Worldwide Talent Contest and became an active duty performer in the elite military ""Tops in Blue"" entertainment group. Eventually, Jimmy formed his band ""Jimmy Case and the Cherokees."" When the Vietnam War started, the band began entertaining troops from the front lines at U.S. Military bases overseas and throughout the United States. Later in life, Jimmy became a respected record producer in the Nashville area. He owned and operated Aaron Records and Ace Productions which enabled him to work closely and become friends with many breakout and established musicians in the country music industry. He was a lifetime voting member of the Country Music Association and the first inductee in the Southern Legends Hall of Fame. Jimmy is survived by his wife, Jane Case; brothers, Earl (Lois) Case and Vernon (Dorothy) Case; children, Ruth Ann (Dean) Kolinske, James Case, Jr., John (Selina) Case, Steve (Kathy) Case Hunt, Jeannie (Todd) Hopkins, and Kelly Anthony; as well as numerous grandchildren, great grandchildren, nieces and nephews, many lifelong friends, fellow musicians, and devoted caregivers. He is preceded in death by his daughters, Rose Marie Sutton and Sandra Laing; sister, Kitty Boyer; brother, Benny McGraw; and the musical influences who taught him his first chords on the guitar, his Aunt Emma Mathew and Uncle Tom Frady. Funeral Service will be held Thursday, July 30, 2015, 5 PM at Horan & McConaty Family Chapel, 9998 Grant Street, Thornton. Committal Service will be Friday, July 31, 2015, 10:15 AM at Fort Logan National Cemetery, 3698 South Sheridan Boulevard, Denver. Escorted procession will leave from Horan & McConaty at 9:15 AM. In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made in Jimmy's honor to one of the following organizations: The Grand Ole Opry – Opry Trust Fund 2804 Opryland Drive Nashville, TN 37214 616-316-6174 www.opry.com/trustfund Leukemia and Lymphoma Society 720 South Colorado Boulevard Denver, CO 80246 www.lls.org National Parkinson Foundation – Donor Services 1501 NW 9th Avenue Miami, FL 33136 www.parkinson.org Please share your memories of Jimmy and condolences with his family by signing the Guestbook below.