A Celebration of Life for James “Jim” Cerha of Lusk, Wyo, will be held Wednesday, August 30, 2023, at 11:00 at St Leo’s Catholic Church in Lusk with Father Ray Moss officiating.
Military honors will follow the service.Online condolences may be left at luskmortuary.comJames “Jim” Paul Cerha was born in Cleveland, OH, on the 2nd day of April, 1950, to Harry Thomas Cerha and Marion (Gordon) Cerha. He passed away at his home in Lusk on the 22nd day of September, 2022.
A child of a military family, Jim grew up in many different places including Ohio, Louisiana, Texas, Washington DC, and Germany. He graduated from St John’s College High School in Washington DC in 1968, then attended the U-S Air Force Academy in Colorado Springs, CO.
Jim was a member of the Academy Rifle Team before graduating in 1972. He began his Air Force career at Andrews Air Force Base in Washington DC, followed by multiple assignments as the chief of Hospital Laboratory services. Those locations included Lackland AFB TX, Offutt AFB NE, Kirtland AFB NM, Andrews AFB MD, and Langley AFB VA.
While assigned to Langley, Jim deployed with the 1st Medical Group in support of Operation Desert Shield/Desert Storm. He was a Lt Colonel and commander of the 1st Medical Diagnostics and Support Squadron at Langley when he retired after a 24-year career.
Jim met Ardis “Ardy” Jean Meier while they were both assigned to the 1st Medical Group at Langley, where Jim had completed his private pilot’s license He was a member of the base Aero Club and for their first date, Jim asked Ardy to go on a picnic – then flew her to Ocracoke Island, NC, for the day, and the rest was history
.Jim and Ardy were married on August 30, 1998, in Lusk. Because Ardy was still on active duty, the couple spent their early married life at Travis AFB and Andrews AFB with Jim keeping busy as webmaster for the Air Force Pharmacists Society.
Upon Ardy’s retirement, the couple split time between homes in Lusk and Tucson, Arizona.Jim participated in a number of sports while on active duty including baseball, softball, bowling, shooting, and golf. He continued these sports after his retirement until his health declined.
Jim and Ardy also enjoyed camping, traveling, attending Wyoming Cowboy football games, and playing cards. In Lusk, Jim was an active member of St Leo’s Catholic Church, Elks Lodge BPOE #1797, Lusk Search and Rescue, American Legion Post 4, Veterans of Foreign Wars Post, and the Association of Graduates US Air Force Academy.
Jim was preceded in death by his parents.
He is survived by his wife Ardis of Lusk; brothers Tom Cerha (Rose) of San Antonio, TX, and Bob Cerha (Joan) of Montgomery, ALz; and many nephews, nieces, and great-nephews and great-nieces.Pier Funeral Home of Lusk is in charge of arrangements for Jim Cerha.