James L. “Captain Jim” Orndoff, 66, of Largo, Florida, died November 16, 2013, at Morton Plant Hospital after a short battle with cancer. Born in East Liverpool, Ohio, he came here in 1988 from Pittsburgh, PA.
He was a staff member of Veterans Funeral Care in Clearwater and a member of Anona United Methodist Church in Largo. He served his country in the Navy in Vietnam earning a National Defense Service Medal, Republic of Vietnam Campaign Medal with device and a Vietnam Service Medal with three bronze battle stars.
He was a former Post Commander of VFW Post 10094 in Largo and VFW Post 4256 in Madeira Beach. He was also a member of American Legion Post 273.
He is survived by his wife, Sandy; his three children, Michelle (Bob), Rod (JulieAnn), Jimmy; and two grandchildren, Patrick & Corinne.
A Memorial Service will be held at 2:00 PM on Tuesday, November 26, 2013 at Anona United Methodist Church, 13233 Indian Rocks Roads, Largo, Florida. He will be buried at Florida National Cemetery with full Military Honors.
Please sign his guestbook below.
Sandy,
I am truly lost for words. I wanted to visit him at the hospital and expected to see him recover. My thoughts and prayers go out to you and your family. I will truly miss his stories. He always brought a positive energy into the room. God Bless you.
Adam J. Plutchok, LFD – Veterans Funeral Care.
On behalf of my family and our staff, we extend our deepest sympathies to both Jim’s family and his coworkers at Veterans Funeral Care.
I have found memories of my visit to Veterans Funeral Care last spring and learning of all that Jim O. was doing to educate Veteran’s and their families about benefits, as well as him giving me the grand tour of the facilities in Clearwater.
Rest in Peace, Jim.
Robert Christiansen, President
Michigan Cremation & Funeral Care
we will miss you big man,was my honor to call you my friend
Sorry to hear of Jim’s passing. Our prayers and thoughts to family
Dear Orndoff family,
I am so sorry to hear of Jim’s passing. You all are in my thoughts an prayers.
I will miss you very much. Thanks for all you did for our veterans. You set a very good example for others to follow. God Bless You. I will see you in there some day.
DadGrandpa..
First we would like to thank everyone for the love and support of our dadgrandpa. He was defiantly one of a kind. He did so much for so many people and we are so proud for that. He will be missed on so many levels… We love you DadGrandpa
My sincere condolences to Cousin Jim’s family especially his Mom, Aunt Nina. God Bless you all. All Our Love, Carl and Kathy Orndoff
Dot andSmokey Sullivan
Sandy,Bryan and I are sorry to hear of Jim’s passing. You and your family will be in our thoughts and prayers.
may god be with you
Jim was one of a kind! Always spunky and eager to help. He adored his grandchildren and always spoke so fondly of his family. Veterans won’t be the same without his presence. My thoughts go out to his family during this difficult time. He was most definitely taken far too soon.
It’s just not the same around here without Jim O. He always had a story and a smile. Rest In Peace Jim O. We will miss you.
So sad to hear the news today. Seems like it was just a short time ago he was telling me about the news he had just found out with his battle with cancer. Had no idea that that day would be my last day I saw him. So very sad. My thoughts are with his family and the staff at Veteran’s Funeral Care.
We help families every day, but when one of our own passes it makes us stop and reflect. Jim was such an ardent supporter of veterans and his presence here at Veterans Funeral Care will be sorely missed. Our thoughts and prayers are with you, Sandy, now and in the future.
Sandy
Ted & I are so sorry for your loss, our thoughts and prays are with you.
Death is not the end, it is only the beggining.
Sandy, Our deepest sympathy to you and your family. We are shocked when we heard of Jim’s passing. May God be with you and your family in this time of sorrow.
Sandy and Family,
We are so sorry to hear about the loss of your husbandfather. Please know that you are in our thoughts and prayers. Dorita, Gina, Charlotte, Tony, and Nancy
Sandy and family, our deepest sympathies. Jim will be missed, our veterans community has one less star. May God be with you and your family in this time of sorrow.
Tom & Tracy McKeon
what a shock, just talking about you both on Thursday..we will miss him greatly, especially on our birthday..I will light a candle @ St, Micheals in Tarpon, because u know how we love the chapel.. what a pleasure to have met him and loved his humor all this while..too long to count! With sincere sympathy to you Sandy and your family
I want to thank everyone from myself and my family for all the love and support that you have given to us at this time of great loss. To all of Jim’s friends, and he had hundreds, he loved all of you and I know that he will be sorely missed by everyone, especially us his family. He was not only my husband, but my best friend and my biggest support. It will not be easy to go forward but for the love of God and our faith in Jesus Christ. We know he is now enjoying eternal life without pain and that we will all be together at some time in the future. Thank you all again. God Bless, Sandy
Sandy,
My heart and prayers are with you and your family.
May God bless you and keep you in his care, now and in the days to come.
Peggy
Jim O was such a help to me. He loved to give tours of our building. He managed our ’Retire Your Flag With Honor” program. He spoke about VA benefits to Posts, to senior groups. He would do anything for a Veteran. His worst attribute was showing all of us his “Miss America granddaughters” picture, over and over! He loved his family. Jim O was a patriot. He was a Navy Veteran. A Vietnam Veteran. A Steelers fan. We will miss him.
The orndoff family ;
I would like to say Im sorry to hear of Jims death , I belonged to the same VFW club in east Pittsburgh,PA as Jim did .
I met him at post 10094 & became very good friends with Jim . Jim asked me to be on the Honor Guard , I did so .
He was a great guy who would do anything for anyone , especially the veterans ! He will surely be miss by me . I lost a close friend , Great buddy of mine .
REST IN PEACE JIM !
DEAE SANDY AND FAMILY IT IS WHITH SADNESS TO HEAR OF JIMS PASSING.IT WAS GREAT TO CALL HIM A FRIEND.HE WILL SURLEY BE MISSED ESPICALLY BY.. THE VETERANS.JIM WAS ALWAYSTHERE TO HELP EVERYONE .MY THOUGHTS AND PRAYERS ARE WITH YOU AND YOUR FAMILY.YOUR GRAND-DAUGHTER WAS A REAL BEAUTY TO HIM.
Sandy and family. Was sorry to hear of Captain Jim’s passing. We always enjoyed his humor, support and the generosity of his friendship. He had a great laugh and smile. He always talked proudly of all of you.
His passing is a great loss to us all.
God Bless you all.
Jimbo,
On behalf of all your friends at Post 273; you will be missed, but never forgotten. Your devotion and assistance to our veterans and their families will be forever remembered by those whom you stood by in their time of need; you were always there for us. God bless you old pal.
Sandy,
I cannot evenimagine the loss you and your children are experiencing try to take comfort in the love of your familyand memories you’ve shared, love does not die.
You are in our hearts,thoughts and prayers,
James and Paula Paxton
We’ll miss you everyday Dad. I know you’ll be watching over all of us, and I’m glad you won’t be suffering anymore. I’ll be looking for you in Heaven.
To Orndoff family:
It was an honor and pleasure to know my Vietnam brother Jim. He was alot of fun and always working to help veterans. Always smiling when we were at Melbourne for many years of comradeship! He was a great supporter of our American Legion Post #273 and supported many of our programs during my several terms in office as Commander. He was a true patriot and a red blooded American at heart! Our community , state and nation has lost a great man and friend to all! God Bless your family in this most difficult time.
Yours in service,
David C Miller
Disabled Vietnam Veteran
National Hospital Representative Bay Pines VAMC
JIM will be missed by all, a smiling face made all feel welcome ,,I will miss him as a friend
Dear Sandy and family, we are so sad for your loss. It feels like we lost a part of our family. I had planned to attend the funeral and had made arrangements for someone to stay with Larry so I could. However, he had to be transported to the Hospice Care Center in Pinellas Park last night so I will not make it. I would like to call and visit with you later. It will probably be good for both of us. Love to you, Michele, Rod, and Corinne.
We will all Miss you and thank you for the wonderfull job you did for our Veterans.
Our sympathy and prayers go out to Jim’s family. We will miss him -he was a great supporter of the Armed Forces History Museum and a good friend. John Piazza,Sr and the Museum Staff
God Bless Jim.
I will miss Jim as he was a friend and a comrade. He has done so much for the VFW I don’t know how to say thank you. Thoughts and prayers go to the family
Sandy and Family. Jimbo will be greatly missed.
All of you are in our prayers. 7up Last Patrol
Dear Sandy,
You and your family are in our thoughts and prayers. May our Lord bless and comfort you at this time and always.
From: the Officers and Members of FLA. VFW
Big Jim you will be missed,but not forgotten.thanks for being a last patrol member god bless. suncoast vietnam veterans association.R.I.P…
Jimmy O. will be missed by all who had the privileged of working with him. He was one of a kind. A man of uncompromising character.
Our sympathies to Sandy and family for their huge loss. Jim was a true Patriot and friend ready to assist at a moments notice. He will always be remembered for his commitment and love for family and country. He was a comrade and he will never be forgotten . May he rest in peace. Jim and Sue Boss
It has taken me over two years to get over your passing. I always kept thinking Jimmy’s OK and I’ll see him soon. Those of us with PTSD let only a few into our hearts and you were one of those friends that I kept closest. I think about you often and wish you were still here. You were one of the best and now we are all a bit poorer without you. Save me a place at your table, Jim, I’ll be glad to see you again.
David
You were a fun uncle and I have fond memories of you when I was young. You always had “pull my finger” ready to go for a quick laugh. Rest In Peace.
Jimmy,
It has been a bit over a decade since you passed and I think about you often, especially on Memorial Day. You were one of those true friends that asked for nothing, gave everything, and made life better for your presence. Know that as long as I live, your memory will never be forgotten and may God hold you in the palm of His hand.