James Ervin Fish, 70, of Great Mills died Dec. 26, 2012, at his home, with his family at his side.

Born May 15, 1942, in Castle Dale, Utah, he was the son of the late John Fish Jr. and Edna (Hardy) Fish.

He entered the U.S. Air Force in 1961 and proudly served until his retirement as a master sergeant in 1982.

On June 28, 1967, he married Susan Varney Fish in New York. She preceded him in death.

During his 21 years of honorable service, he earned the Good Conduct Medal with one silver oak leaf cluster and one bronze oak leaf cluster; the Commendation Medal with two bronze oak leaf clusters; the Longevity Service Ribbon with four bronze oak leaf clusters; the Armed Forces Expeditionary Medal; the National Defense Service Medal; the Vietnam Service Medal; the Outstanding Unit Award and the Vietnam Campaign Medal.

After retirement he worked as an assistant manager for many Food Lion grocery stores for 15 years.

He was a world traveler, spending time in Japan, Thailand, Alaska, England, Korea, Vietnam, Maine, Oklahoma and New York. However, his favorite place to spend time was Hawaii. In addition to traveling, he also enjoyed photography, woodworking, gardening and fishing.

He is survived by his children, Clarissa Errington (Frank) of Peru, Maine, Melissa Fish of Fredericksburg, Va., Matthew Fish of Great Mills and Brandice Gunderson (Kristina) of Great Mills; brothers, Louis Fish (Jean) of Salt Lake City, Utah, and Frank Fish (Marie) of Post Falls, Idaho; and grandchildren, Isiah Brown and Noah Brown of Peru and Gavin Logel and McKenzie Ayuso of Great Mills.

The family received friends and a funeral service was held, led by the Rev. Joe Orlando, on Dec. 29 at Brinsfield Funeral Home in Leonardtown. Interment followed at Ebenezer United Methodist Cemetery in Great Mills.