James Edward Klein, 88, of Winston Salem, passed away on Sunday, July 3, 2011 at Magnolia Estates Skilled Nursing Facility in Spencer. He was born on January 30, 1923 in Canandiagua, New York. A son of the late Fred and Mildred Simmons Klein. Jim was educated at the University of Buffalo, DeForest Training Institute of Chicago, and Central Radio and T.V. In Kansas City. James was a First Lieutenant Mustang in the 373^rd Army Air Corp Bomb Squadron during WWII. He was a decorated war hero, earning 6 medals: Good Conduct Ribbon, American Campaign Medal, Asiatic-Pacific Theater Ribbon with 4 Bronze Battle Stars, WWII Victory Medal, Distinguished Unit Badge and a Presidential Unit Emblem. He also received a letter of extraordinary Heroism for Outstanding Performance of Duty. James was also in the Air Force Reserve for 12 years.

After retiring from Honeywell, Jim opened JIMBOCO, Inc. an industrial instrumentation control business, which he and Wanda operated until 2005. Jim was 82 at the time. He worked in control instrumentation in its pneumatic era and throughout the complicated electronic technological changes of today.

Jim was a deeply religious man. He and his wife Wanda were members of Freedom Wesleyan Church, where he was a Steward, and assisted Wanda in Teaching Sunday School. He was a member of Gideons International, and a member of the Lions Club.

Jim resided at Magnolia Estates Skilled Nursing Facility in Spencer for the last year and a half, where a loving and dedicated staff cared for him. The world will sorely miss him, especially those who knew him well.

In addition to his parents Jim is preceded in death by brothers, Clifford and Thomas Klein, and sister, Mildred Klein Gressley.

Survivors: Jim is survived by his loving and dedicated wife, Wanda Klein of Winston Salem. Four Children: Michael Klein, Janet Hunnicutt, John Klein and Nancy Landi. Three step-children: Frank Pulliam, Michael Pulliam and Kristian Young; four grandchildren, one great-grandchild, six step-grandchildren and three step great-grandchildren, three nephews, three nieces, one grand-nephew and one great-grandniece. Brother, Frank Klein.

Service: A Memorial Service will be held on Friday, July 8, 2011 at 10:00 AM at the Salisbury National Cemetery (Statesville BLVD Location) conducted by the Rev. Roger Holland. Burial will follow at a later date at Arlington National Cemetery.

2^nd Corinthians 5-8 says “…we would rather be away from these earthly bodies, for then we will be at home with the Lord.”

As Helen Keller said, “Death is no more than passing from one room into another.”

Carolina Cremation of Salisbury (formerly Evergreen Cremation Services) is assisting the Klein family. Online condolences may be made at www.mycarolinacremation.com.