Our spotlight shines on a father-son veteran duo this month. James Waidelich and his son Jeff were both born and raised in Fulton County.
James currently receives home-delivered meals, and Jeff is one of our Senior Center meal delivery drivers.
James served in the Army for three years as an Artillery Forward Observer. Jeff served in the Army and retired in 1996 as a Staff Sergeant with 20 years of service.
He was also a trombone player in the Army band, and spent six years on staff at the Armed Forces School of Music at the Naval Amphibious Base, in Little Creek, Virginia. Did Jeff get his musical ability from James? “I played the trumpet/cornet in high school, but since then, I only play the radio,” James said.
James served as the Assistant Scout Master for Jeff’s Boy Scout troop, and they spent time all-season camping together.
James graduated from Pettisville High School in 1952, and Jeff graduated from Wauseon High School in 1976. James worked for Sauder Woodworking, Meijer Trucking, Electra, and Ohio State Forwarding. Thank you for your service!.