James Gresham Obituary

James Larry Gresham, 68, passed away peacefully on July 18, 2012 at his home in Colorado Springs, CO. He was born July 28,1943 in Heber Springs, Arkansas, and was preceded in death by his parents James Erben Gresham, and Madge Love Gresham Lemasters, his daughter Cheri Kay Gresham, and by a brother Dane Gresham. Larry spent his early childhood years in Boulder, Co (where his father, James Erben, graduated from CU with a degree in Pharmacology). Later, he attended schools in small towns in Texas, and Arkansas, (including, Camden, Truman, and Heber Springs) where he enjoyed many happy times with extended family. After graduation, Larry entered the US Air Force, became an officer, and worked with computer software systems. He served in the military in the US and Panama. During his Air Force career he served for a time as a faculty member at the US Air Force Academy, in Colorado Springs. Upon retirement from the military, he was employed by UCCS, in Colorado Springs, teaching computer science, and later by Carnegie Mellon University's Systems Engineering Institute. He continued to use his expertise in software systems engineering in the private sector primarily for defense contractors in Colorado and Virginia. Upon his second retirement in 2004, he enjoyed his free time pursuing several interests, including his favorite pastime: fishing Colorado lakes and rivers with family members. He will be laid to rest with generations of family members at Pearson Cemetery, near Quitman, Arkansas. Survivors include his wife, Nancy Malone Gresham; son, Kyle Gresham, wife Glynis, granddaughters, Rhiannon, and Cordelia, of Boulder, CO; son, Paul Gresham, wife Debbie, grandchildren, Sarah, Jacob, Emma, Richard, and Michael, of Stanton, CA; stepson, Wallace Lee Reed IV, wife Rosie, their children: Lee, Andrew, and William, of Harlingen, TX; stepdaughter, Melissa Hall and children: Ben and Summer Hall, of Loveland, CO; sister, Leilani (Gresham) Durrett, husband John of Sun Lakes, AZ; and sister, Janice (Gresham) Scarbrough, husband Richard and niece Sarah, of Greers Ferry, AR. A Memorial Mass will be held at St. Patrick's Catholic Church in Colorado Springs, on Monday, July 30th at 11am. Visitation will be held Friday evening Aug 3rd, 6-8pm at Family Funeral Service in Heber Springs, AR. Graveside services with Military Honors will be held at 10am in Pearson Cemetery, Quitman, AR.