James Elmer Emmons

Col. James E. Emmons, M.D., F.A.C.S. July 9, 1935 - May 29, 2006 Certa Bonum Certamen - "Fight the Good Fight" Dr. James Emmons was summoned from this world on Memorial Day to take the place prepared for him in Heaven by our Lord, Jesus Christ. After a brief, but courageous, battle with cancer Dr. Emmons was set free at his home in the presence of his wife, children, and close family friends. James Emmons graduated from the United States Military Academy at West Point, New York in 1958 where he learned to live by the code of "Duty, Honor, Country." After the completion of RANGER training and Airborne Jump School, 2LT Emmons was stationed in Europe with the US Army. After serving several years with the Army Tank Corps in Bad Hersfeld, Germany he left the military to attend medical school. Dr. Emmons graduated from the University of Vermont School of Medicine in 1968. He completed his residency at the University of Michigan Medical School in 1973. Dr. Emmons moved his family to the Verde Valley in 1974 where he established Verde Valley Urology in Cottonwood, Arizona. He was a surgeon at the Marcus J. Lawrence Medical Center and served two terms as the Chief of Staff. Dr. Emmons retired from practicing medicine in 1998. Dr. Emmons commitment to "Duty" continued to be strong as he began his career as a combat surgeon in the United States Army Reserve in 1977. He served as the Chief of Surgery for the 403RD Combat Support Hospital. He deployed with the 403RD to Iraq in 1990-1991 for Operation Desert Storm. After Operation Desert Storm, Dr. Emmons transferred to the Arizona National Guard where he served as the Medical Officer for Camp Navajo in Bellemont, Arizona. Col. Emmons retired with "Honor" from the military in 1995. Dr. Emmons was an avid hunter, fly-fisher, and lover of the beautiful mountains, forests, lakes, and streams of this great "Country." Dr. Emmons is survived by his wife Judith Ellen Emmons; his children Heidi, Jim, Kristina, Robert, and Christopher; his step-children Patrick Collon and Amy Glidden, his grand-children Michael, Reese, Maeghan, Caden James, Taylor Stephanie, Travis Christopher, and Erin. Dr. Emmons is also survived by his younger sister Edie Sylvestri and his great aunt Enid Emmons. A memorial service will be held on Saturday, June 3rd at the Westcott Funeral Home in Cottonwood at 11 am with a reception service following. Dr. Emmons will be interred at West Point, New York in July. An online guestbook is available at www.westcottfuneralhome.com To plant Memorial Trees in memory of James Elmer Emmons, please click here to visit our Sympathy Store.