James Fleshood

James Lee Fleshood, 63, of Winnetka, CA, passed away on 20 March 2012 after a brief, but valiant, battle with cancer.Born in Wabash, Indiana on 6 August 1948, Jim was the third of William and Patricia Fleshood'?s 9 children: Diane Butzow, Michael Fleshood, Larry Fleshood, Susan Brewer, Judith Cargal, Nancy James, Sally Bowman and Beth King. Jim enlisted in the US Army in August 1965. A graduate of the Army'?s leadership school and Drill Instructor Academy, he served two tours in Vietnam (1966-1967) with the 11th Armored Cavalry and saw heavy fighting during Operations Atlanta and Junction City. Jim served as a tunnel rat, sniper and APC driver and was awarded two Purple Hearts, the Republic of Vietnam Gallantry Cross, the Combat Infantry Badge, and numerous unit citations. He was honourably discharged as a Sergeant in December 1968 from his final duty station of Fort Leavenworth, Kansas. He is a life member of the Military Order of the Purple Heart, the 11th Armored Cavalry Veterans of Vietnam and Cambodia, Disabled American Veterans and the American Legion.After the army, Jim moved to Las Vegas to become a professional actor and to work in radio, television and films. He ultimately launched a forty-year career in the security industry. From 1970 -1982, Jim worked for the Las Vegas Hilton, providing first-hand security and executive protection to a multitude of entertainers such as Elvis Presley, Frank Sinatra, Dean Martin, Ann Margaret, Tina Turner, Gladys Knight, Liberace and Bill Cosby, who became a lifelong personal friend and professional colleague. In 1982, he opened his own security company, Specialized Security Services, Inc. The successful company was later acquired by CPP/Pinkerton, Inc. Jim became a '''Pinkerton''? and worked for them in Las Vegas, Chicago and Los Angeles through 2000, winning numerous awards including Regional Vice President of the Year, Most Improved Region of the Year, and the prestigious Thomas W. Wathen International Award for Excellence. After his time at Pinkerton, Jim also worked for Command Security in Lagrangeville, NY and WSA Security, Inc. in Los Angeles. Over the course of his life, Jim enjoyed golfing, skiing, deep-sea fishing, NASCAR and driving his Corvette, '''Sophia.''? His love of golf began as child under his father'?s instruction and allowed him to develop friendships with many interesting people ''' from generals far senior to him on Army golf courses to good friends on LA-area courses like Tierra Rejada and Camarillo Springs. He finally achieved that elusive hole-in-one on June 10, 2009. Despite his service-related disabilities, Jim played regularly up until his cancer diagnosis on November 28, 2011.But Jim'?s greatest joy came from his family. Jim is survived by his wife, Mary; stepchildren Marie Elena Oley (Eamonn) and David Robert Polakoski; grandson Ciaran Edward Oley; sister Diane Butzow (Richard); nephew Matthew Butzow and niece Wendey Butzow. While Jim lived a colorful and adventurous life outside of the home, nothing ever topped the happiness of being close with the family he loved. And nothing will ever surpass the happiness they felt in return.A Mass celebrating Jim'?s life will be held at Our Lady of Grace Church, 5011 White Oak Avenue, Encino, CA 91316 on Tuesday, April 3rd at 10:00 AM followed by a reception at home. Jim will later be laid to rest by his family in the Los Angeles National Cemetery, alongside his fellow veterans. In lieu of flowers, Jim preferred that people send donations to either:Military Order of the Purple Heart Service Foundation7008 Little River Turnpike PO Box 49Annandale, VA 22003http://www.mophsf.org/shoppingcart/categories/Donations/If sending a check, please write "James Fleshood" in the memo. If donating online, please select one of the memorial donation options and enter "James Fleshood" into the "in memory of" field. Note that the website only allows $50 incremental donations, so for other amounts (any will do), checks are the best method. Proceeds will go to assisting disabled veterans.11th ACVVC (Eleventh Armored Cavalry Veterans Scholarship Fund) C/O Treasurer Ollie Pickral571 Ditchley RoadKilmarnock, VA 22482If sending a check, please write "James Fleshood" in the memo. Proceeds will go to scholarships for children and relatives of 11th Armored Cavalry Vietnam Veterans.