Col. James A. Mounts Jr., distinguished judge

Col. James A. Mounts Jr., retired military judge of Rehoboth Beach, passed away peacefully in his sleep surrounded by his loving wife, Marjorie, son, James III, and daughter, Victoria A. Downes Friday, May 23, 2014.

Col. Mounts, the son of the late Ruth (Anderson) and James A. Mounts Sr. was born Oct. 18, 1931, in Washington, Pa. He graduated with a degree in economics from Washington and Jefferson College in 1953. After completing his first year at the University of Pennsylvania Law School, he fulfilled his mandatory two-year military service requirement, then returned to obtain his Doctor of Jurisprudence Degree in 1958. Col. Mounts then embarked on a highly distinguished career as an officer in the Judge Advocate General Corps of the U.S. Army. During his 33 years of service, he was a member of the Joint Services Legal Team that authored and passed into law the amendment to the U.S. Military Justice Act, voluntarily served as a judge advocate attached to the 4th Infantry Division during the Vietnamese Conflict, headed the U.S. Army Claims Service, and ultimately, was appointed judge to the U.S. Army Court of Military Review.

At night and on the weekends, Col. Mounts taught business law and law enforcement classes as an adjunct professor at the University of Maryland and other collegiate institutions for over 30 years. In addition to excelling in two professions, he also achieved the level of 32nd degree Mason. He was a dedicated Christian who lived a life devoted to serving others. As a lifelong member of the United Methodist Church, he chaired the building committee at the Community United Methodist Church in Maryland, as well as taught disciple and many Sunday school classes at various United Methodist churches. Above all, he cherished his beautiful wife of 58 years, Marjorie; loved and provided for his children and grandchildren; and was a shining example of Christian love in action.

In addition to his parents, Col. Mounts was preceded in death by his brother, John E. Mounts. He is survived by his loving wife Marjorie A. Mounts; his son, James A. Mounts III and his wife Linda of El Paso, Texas; his daughter, Victoria A. Downes and her husband Gary of Milford; four grandchildren: James A. IV and Brennan A. Mounts both of El Paso, and Jessica A. and Jacob G. Downes both of Milford; his sister: Nancy Starr and her husband Frank of Leola, Pa.; his brother-in-law, James B. Miller and his wife Linda of Pittsburg, Pa.; numerous nieces, nephews and dear friends; and his loving Cocker Spaniel, Little Honey.

Funeral services will be held Tuesday, May 27, at 11 a.m., at Epworth United Methodist Church, 19285 Holland Glade Road, Rehoboth Beach, where friends may call beginning at 10 a.m. Interment will follow services at the Epworth Methodist Cemetery, Rehoboth Beach. Arrangements are being handled by Parsell Funeral Homes & Crematorium, Atkins-Lodge Chapel, Lewes.

A special thanks to Nurse Kathleen Fitzpatrick-D'Agostino and CNA Patricia Cahall for their great care of Col. Mounts.

Memorial contributions may be made in Col. Mounts' memory to Epworth United Methodist Church, 19285 Holland Glade Road, Rehoboth Beach, DE 19971 or Delaware Hospice, 100 Patriots Way, Milford, DE 19963.