James Jim Nelson Getty

Getty, James Nelson, 85, of Centerville, Ohio, passed away January 17, 2017. He was preceded in death by his wife, Dorothy (Elliott) Getty, his parents, Dr. Lawrence and Helen Getty, and his brother, John Lawrence Getty. He is survived by his son David S. Getty of Coppell, Texas, daughter Jane E. Nolan (Michael) of New Albany, Ohio and grandchildren Laura and Nolan Getty of Texas and Sarah and Patrick Nolan of Ohio. Jim was born February 28, 1931 in Youngstown, Ohio. He graduated from Rayen High School in Youngstown, Ohio in 1948, from Purdue University (Boiler UP!) in 1952 and served two years as a Captain in the United States Air Force. He married Dorothy Elliott on April 14, 1956 in Dayton, Ohio. He was an Electronics Engineer in the Foreign Technology Division at Wright Patterson Air Force Base, receiving the Air Force Outstanding Civilian Service Medal upon his retirement in 1986. An Elder and member of many committees at Fairmont Presbyterian Church, Jim also served as Moderator of the Miami Valley Presbytery. He enjoyed gardening, stamp collecting, reading and photography. He was President of the Dayton Chapter of the American Association of Individual Investors. With the exception of business travel, Jim and Dotty were rarely apart during their 59 ½ years of marriage. They enjoyed volksmarching, attending theater and musical performances, traveling, spending 27 summers at The Chautauqua Institution, and visiting their family. Private burial will be at David Cemetery Mausoleum. A Celebration of Jim’s life will be on Saturday, February 4th at 1pm at Fairmont Presbyterian Church in Kettering with reception to follow. In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to Fairmont Presbyterian Church, 3705 Far Hills Ave, Dayton OH 45429 or The Theater Arts Program Fund at Wright State University Foundation, 3640 Colonel Glenn Highway, Dayton OH 45435.