James Maffett Obituary

James E. Maffett of Sarasota, formerly of Colorado Springs, Colorado, died July 19, 2007. A memorial service celebrating his life will be held Wednesday, July 25, 10 a.m. at Toale Brothers Funeral Home, 40 N. Orange Ave., Sarasota, Florida. The Rev. David Markwalder of Colorado Springs, Colo., officiating. Survivors include his children, Susan (Stan) Stevens, Colorado Springs, and Stephen (P.J.), Seattle; a brother, Jeff (Annette) of Vero Beach, Florida.; and three granddaughters, Kelsey, McKenna and Kendall. He also leaves behind many special friends. He had a distinguished career in higher education, teaching geology, biology and natural sciences, and served as Dean of Math, Science and Nursing at Pikes Peak Community College in Colorado Springs for over 20 years. Upon retirement, he owned and operated a travel business in Sarasota. He also was a founding director of The Oculina Bank, headquartered in Ft. Pierce, Florida. He was born on December 25, 1942, in Spokane, Wash., to Everett and Mary Ellen Maffett, and was raised in Marion, Indiana. He attended, served as Drum Major and instructed at Culver Military Academy in Culver, Indiana. He graduated from Miami University in Oxford, Ohio, with a degree in Biological Science, received his Master of Science degree from Indiana University, and pursued doctoral work in Science Education at the University of Iowa. He also was an accomplished musician. His passions included travel, sailing, music, railroad history and time spent with family and friends. A lifelong Christian, he was most recently a member of Sarasota's Church of the Palms. He will be greatly missed. An account has been established to benefit the band program at Culver Military Academy. Memorial donations may be sent to Maffett Scholarship Fund at the Oculina Bank, 780 U.S. Highway 1, Vero Beach, FL 32962.