E. Judson DeWitt

E. Judson DeWitt (Judd) passed away on September 6, 2008, in Jacksonville, Florida. He was born in Mt. Vernon, Illinois to Ernest and Nora (Richardson) DeWitt on February 11, 1923. Judd earned his B.A. from Shurtleff College, his M.A. from the University of Illinois, and was a thesis short of earning his PhD. from the University of Colorado. He taught 5th grade in Mount Vernon for several years before accepting a position in the Department of Defense schools in Germany, as a teacher. He later served as a guidance counselor in the Army schools. After eight years in Germany, the family returned to Illinois, where he spent 22 years as a psychology professor with Rend Lake College. Health issues caused his early retirement, and Judd became a certified hypnotist to continue his career. He helped over 4,000 individuals quit smoking; as well as many others battle their weight problems, and other health matters. During WWII, he trained as a gunner on “The Liberator” B-24 bomber, to serve in the Pacific. He was proud to be in the Army Air Corps, and loved to fly. His eyesight kept him from becoming a pilot, which he would have preferred. On a weekend pass in Springfield, Illinois, he met his wife, Mary K. (McKimson). They married June 21, 1945 and recently celebrated their 63rd anniversary with a family reunion at Crescent Beach, Florida. He was a member of Sigma Tau Delta, the Order of the Elks, and Rotary International. He also was a member of the Christian Church of Mt. Vernon, and sang in the choir. He attended the Orange Park United Methodist Church in Orange Park, after moving there in 1993 and served as a Stephen Minister. He was predeceased by his parents, his brother Bill DeWitt, his sister Doris DeWitt Jones, and his son, Don Judson (Jay) DeWitt. He leaves behind his wife Mary, his daughters, Debbie (Trey) Wilkins and Sherrie (Leroy) Starr, and his granddaughters, Laurel (Jason) Yearwood, Leeann Starr, Lori (Bret) Rice, Tammy (Jay) Sluis, and Jennifer (Rob) O’Dwyer. He also cherished his great-grandchildren, Liam, Christian and Katie Starr, Amanda and Dylan O’Dwyer, Casey, Jane and Jack Sluis, Melissa, Hayden and Hunter Yearwood, who survive. His memorial service will be held at Orange Park United Methodist Church on Saturday, September 20, 2008 at 11:00 am. Military honors will be conferred at the service. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to Orange Park United Methodist Church,2051 Park Ave., Orange Park, FL 32073 or Community Hospice of NE Florida, 4266 Sunbeam Rd., Jacksonville, FL 32257. Please sign the family’s online register book at www.broadusraines.com. Cremation arrangements are under the care of Broadus-Raines Funeral Home, 501 Spring St., Green Cove Springs, FL (904) 284-4000.