James “Jim” W. Steele

James \"Jim\" William Steele, 77, of Lynchburg passed away Wednesday, December 22, 2010 at his residence.

Jim was born April 30, 1933 in Campbell County. He was the son of the late John Dillard Steele and the late Alice Goff Steele. He proudly served his country in the U.S. Air Force during the Korean Conflict and had retired as a Commander II of the Lynchburg City Police Department after 32 years of service.

Jim was a member of the Fraternal Order of Police Lodge # 34, American Legion Post 16, and the Rocky Mountain Elk Foundation. He was also a member of the Masons, Marshall Lodge No. 39.

He is survived by his children; Martha Steele Carwile and husband, Curtis of Manassas, VA, William S. Steele and wife, Annie of Spout Spring, Susan Steele Oxner and husband, Bud of Amherst, and Debbie L. Hamlet of Lynchburg; thirteen grandchildren, eleven great-grandchildren, and seven great-great grandchildren. Jim is also survived by his sisters; Betty Rocha and husband, John of Rustburg, and Myra Baker and husband, Bill of Louisville, KY; and his aunt, Lula Finch of Asheboro, NC.

In addition to his parents, Jim was preceded in death by his daughter, Margaret Ann Hawkins and his brother, John Dillard \"Jack\" Steele, Jr.

The family will receive friends tonight, Monday, December 27, 2010, at Tharp Funeral Home, Lynchburg from 6:00-8:00 p.m.

A funeral service will be held Tuesday, December 28, 2010 at Timberlake United Methodist Church at 11:00 a.m. with Reverend Tom Bryant officiating. Military honors will be provided by the Lynchburg City Police Department. A private family interment will be held at a later date in Cumbie Memorial Cemetery, Rustburg.

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to the Fraternal Order of Police Lodge #34, 221 Wiggington Road, Lynchburg, VA 24502 or Cumbie Memorial Cemetery, 1812 Village Highway, Rustburg, VA 24588.

Tharp Funeral Home & Crematory, Lynchburg, is assisting the family, 434-237-9424.