James E. Book of Lewisburg lost his battle and slipped away on July 20, 2017 at UPMC Skilled Nursing Center in Muncy at 81 years of age, where he had been a patient for the last 6 months after an extended battle with COPD.
James was born on October 1, 1935 in Mifflin, Pa to the late Dale L. and Ruth A. (Louder) Book. On June 20, 1959 he married Barbara J. Harris, who survives. They just celebrated their 58th wedding anniversary.
He graduated from Juniata Joint High School where he played JV basketball.
He was an SP3 in the United States Army from 1954 to 1957. After serving in the Army, he went to Bucknell University for 2 years to study economics.
James was the manager of Reish Bros. and Derr Bros. appliance stores from there he went to work at Citizens Leasing and onto Kelly Township Sewer Authority, where he worked in the laboratory, which he retired from in 2013.
He was an avid fan of the NFL Giants and Notre Dame teams. He enjoyed trips to Washington DC, especially the Air and Space Museum, touring civil war battlefields, and going to Niagara Falls in Canada. In his younger years he enjoyed hunting with his brothers and coaching teener league baseball and midget football with his brother.
He was a member of Saint Peters United Church of Christ in Lewisburg for 36 years.
He was active in Alcoholics Anonymous, being sober for 45 years and being instrumental in establishing the Lewisburg meetings.
He was preceded in death by 4 siblings, Kay Book, Beverly (Book) Kennedy, Donald Book and John Book and 3 grandchildren, John Edward Book, Charity Lynn Wagner and Desirée Nicole Keister.
In addition to his wife he is survived by 2 daughters and sons-in-law, Barbara (Barbie) and Franklin Greak, of Winfield, Debra (Debbie) and Kent (Snook) Keister of Lewisburg, 2 sons and daughters-in-law, James (Butch) and Ruthann Book of Selinsgrove, Dale and Patti Book of Millmont, 6 grandchildren, Jennifer and John Martin of Chattanooga, Katie and Michael Troxell of Lewisburg, Jonathan Keister and fiancée Kalaum Linn of Mifflinburg, Erik Book of Harrisburg, Brandon Book of Millmont, and Heather Book of Millmont, 3 step grandchildren, Jason and Danielle Greak of Hummels Wharf, Josh Greak of Middleburg, and William Greak of Middleburg, 5 great grandchildren, Thomas and Charity Martin of Chattanooga, Logen and Madison Keister of Mifflinburg, and Grayson Troxell of Lewisburg, 1 step grandchild, Trinity Greak of Hummels Wharf, and one sister and brother-in-law Cathy (Book) and Dennis Hause of Lewisburg.
Family and friends are invited to visit from 11 to 1 pm on Tuesday, July 25, 2017 at Saint Peters United Church of Christ (Twin Churches) Lewisburg, where a celebration of life service will be held at 1 pm with the Reverend Jeff Hauck, officiating.
Burial with full Military honors accorded by veterans of the Lewisburg American Legion will be held at the adjoining church cemetery.
In lieu of flowers the family would like a memorial donation made in James's name to the Pennsylvania Wounded Warriors Inc. www.pawoundedwarriors.org