Ben Amodei, B-2-23
Here is Ben with his wife, Alma, at a Grand Canyon Chapter luncheon. Originally from Philadelphia, Ben married, had 8 children, drove a semi for 25 years before becoming a AAA Insurance agent. He worked in New York, Wichita, KS, and back to Philadelphia, before he retired to Florida. Then he moved to Arizona in 2002 to settle down
Tom Chukas, JASCO
Tom his wife, Betty, are originally from Cedar Rapids, Iowa. He was the Advertising Director for The Cedar Rapids Gazette for 42 years before he and Betty moved to Arizona in 1988 after retirement. Tom has a son in Nashville, TN and 2 grandchildren
Jim Duke is shown here with his wife, Helen. They came to Arizona in 1947 from Shenandoah, Iowa. He was in the electric sign business until retirement in 1978
To the right Jim is flanked on his left by Dan Duran and DeWayne Dickman on his right.
Bob and his wife, Marge spend their summers in Alaska where he used to own an auto parts store. Will be back this fall and we will update this bio sketch.
Jim is shown here with Ginnie. After entering the Marine Corps
in Oklahoma City, he worked in the newspaper business, switched to life insurance for a while, then became a FHA-VA real estate appraiser. These jobs took him from Oklahoma to Colorado to Georgia before settling in Arizona in 1964.
They enjoy traveling in a 40 ft. diesel motor home.
Bob Kepler came to Arizona with his wife, Kathryn, from Detroit, MI, in 1959.They are shown here on their 58th
wedding anniversary. He was in the construction business building commercial and custom homes for 60 years.
He has a home in Puerta Penasco, (Rocky Point), Mexico.
The marine pic was made on LST 512 where he was on duty after making all of the 4th's operations.
On a tour to Iwo Jima in 2003, Bob found the pill box where he spent the night of Feb. 19, 1945, after being hit during the landing.
See picture below. In the background is Mt. Suribachi.
Ken Neary is shown here with his wife, Betty. He served for 20 years with the NYC PD retiring as a 1st Grade detective.
Following that he went to California and was an E.F.Hutton stockbroker for 13 years before coming home to Arizona
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Don was born in Denver, Co. and enlisted in the Marines at age 17. His boot camp platoon included recruit Tyrone Power.
After discharge in 1945 he went to the University of Portland, class of 1949.
He then became a fire truck dealer. First fire truck he sold was for $16,000.00. The last one was $750,000.00. That's inflation.
Originally from El Dorado, Arkansas, Marv has had a long and successful career in real estate in Arizona since 1955.
Paul is shown here on his patio in Sun City, Arizona. He came to Arizona in 1985 after 36 years of fire fighting in Detroit, MI.
Shown here with his wife, Dottie, Grover hails from Gettysburg, PA, and winters here in Sun City West. Volunteered for Marine Corps and participated in action during all four 4th Division campaigns. After discharge he founded and operated a successful restaurant in Gettysburg. He is a member of The Grand Slam Club and has bagged all four species of American Wild Sheep. God bless American and Semper Fi.
Jim Head 5th Division-1st Plt/S&S Co/5th Serv Bn Jim is pictured here with his wife, Norma.We have made Jim an honorary member of our Chapter. He is a veteran of the Iwo Campaign and has become friends with our Chapter.
He joined the Marine Corps right out of High School in 1943 and was discharged in 1946. Following a career as a machinist, he wound up in Phoenix working at Air Research and retired here in 1987.
On the right Jim is posing with a Japanese interpreter in the city of Sasebo on the island of Kyshu in Japan
