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James Harold Draggett

James Harold Draggett

James Harold Draggett, 90, departed to his eternal life on July 30, 2017 in Naples, Florida; just two days shy of his 91st birthday.

Born in Fredonia, August 1, 1926 to Leon and Helen (Smith) Draggett, “Jim” was a proud native of the Dunkirk/Fredonia area. He graduated from Fredonia High School in 1944 and went on to serve his country in the United States Army Air Corps after eagerly enlisting as a minor and being deferred until graduation. He trained at Bergstrom Air Force Base in Austin, Texas, Keesler Air Force Base in Biloxi, Mississippi and C46 school at CurtissWright outside of Buffalo. Jim served his country honorably as an Aviation Mechanic for P51 and C46 planes throughout Germany.

On June 3, 1950 Jim married his sweetheart, Lorraine Catherine (Crosgrove) at First Presbyterian Church in Dunkirk. Together they lovingly raised a son, Douglas James.

As a young man, Jim built homes, including two of his own on Chestnut Street and Berry Road. He was a decidedly talented furniture maker and custom cabinet builder. He later worked as a superintendent for the Cirrito Construction Company, the Meister Contracting Company and was a member of the United Brotherhood of Carpenters and Joiners Union. Jim left an indelible mark on the landscape of Western New York, masterfully building schools, churches, hospitals, libraries, factories and numerous commercial and retail buildings. He took tremendous pride in his craft and never ceased striving for perfection.

He loved nature and his abundant family and farming history in the countryside. He could recount simpler times where horse and carriages still rode down Main Street or caroling around a real candlelit Christmas tree. Telling tales of his beloved hometown, long Sunday drives, bird watching, trout fishing at the Chautauqua gorge and Canadaway Creek, dancing the jitterbug, country western music, cold beer, single malt scotch, beautiful jigsaw puzzles, and the Buffalo Bills can be counted among his favorite things. Seizing life’s adventure even at the advanced age of 88, he moved to Ohio, then Florida to be near his son. Above all, Jim loved his devoted family.

He is preceded in death by his wife of 58 years, his parents, and his brothers, Robert, Thomas, Eugene, and Marvin. He leaves behind his best friend and son, Douglas James and daughterinlaw, Parthena Draggett of Naples, Florida; loving granddaughters and grandsonsinlaw, Elizabeth and George Bassett of Alexandria, Virginia, Melissa and Joseph Greenhill of Fort Worth, Texas; and four adoring greatgrandchildren; Ann Douglas and Martha Bassett, James Harold and Joseph Greenhill; sister, Sally Kenyon of Interlaken, N.Y.; sisterinlaw, Ellie Draggett of Fredonia; aunt, Eleanor Goggin of Fredonia; numerous extended family members and many friends.

Our father and grandfather was consummately cheerful, kind, patient and gentle. His life was well lived and full of honesty, humility and wisdom. There was nothing he couldn’t build, no tree he couldn’t help us to climb, no story left untold. He will be deeply missed and forever cherished.

Calls may be made Friday from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. at the LARSONTIMKO Funeral Home, 20 Central Avenue, Fredonia, N.Y., where a funeral service will follow at 1 p.m. Interment, with full military honors accorded by the Dunkirk Joint Veterans Council, will follow at Forest Hill Cemetery.

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributionmay be made to Avow Hospice, 1095 Whippoorwill Lane, Naples, Florida 34105 or to the First Presbyterian Church of Fredonia.

Online condolences may be made at larsontimkofuneralhome.com. Arrangements by David J. Dengler.