James O. Rimel, Sr.

James O. Rimel, Sr., Brigadier General (pa) retired, 71 of Dillsburg, passed away on Friday, March 20, 2020 in his home surrounded by his loving family following a long, courageously fought battle with leukemia.

Jim was a retired Public Safety Officer for the Defense Distribution Centers Susquehanna, PA.

Upon graduation from high school, Jim entered the US Army, then later served in the US Navy. After his active duty service in the military, Jim obtained an Associate’s Degree in Police Administration from Harrisburg Area Community College and a Bachelor’s Degree in Criminal Justice from Elizabethtown College. Following college, he was employed by Fairview Township Police Department for 9 years, as an officer, then as a Detective. In addition, he was a volunteer firefighter for New Cumberland Borough. Jim was next employed by Defense Logistics Agency as a Detective. He was then promoted to Public Safety Director at the New Cumberland Army Depot. He next took on the responsibility of Supply Chain Operations, responsible for distributions for 24 military installations worldwide. Following that duty, Jim was appointed Director of Public Safety for Supply Chains Operations.

With a passion for serving his country, Jim re-enlisted in the US Army National Guard. During that time, he completed Basic and Advanced Military Intelligence Courses. He also attended the US Army Command and General Staff Officers’ College. Finally, he represented the Defense Logistics Agency as a civilian student attendee graduate of the US Army War College. He was stationed in Kosovo as a Senior Intelligence Officer in 2003-2004. Jim retired from the Army National Guard as a Brigadier General after serving his country for over 37 years. During his service, he was honored by receiving a direct Presidential Commission as a Naval Reserve Intelligence Officer.

Jim was born in Harrisburg, the son of the late Owen and Constance (Bradigan) Rimel.

He is survived by his wife, Kendy S. (Hamm) Rimel; his children, James Rimel, Jr. of Harrisburg, Nicole Rimel of Enola and Megan Magee and husband Scott of Mechanicsburg; his sister Connie Gruber of Dillsburg; and four grandchildren, Chase Rimel, Landon Magee, Rilyn Magee and Zander Magee.

Military honors will be conducted at Indiantown Gap National Cemetery on Friday, July 16,2021 at 10 am followed by A Celebration of Life at noon at VFW Post 7415, 109 Third St. New Cumberland.

In lieu of flowers, the family respectfully requests memorial contributions in Jim’s memory to either The Leukemia and Lymphoma Society, 2405 Park Drive, Suite 100, Harrisburg, PA 17110 or the Monique Tartt Foundation, 61 Glenwood Drive Hauppauge, NY 11788. Please write In Memory of James Rimel, Sr. in the memo line.

To send messages of condolence to the family or for driving directions for the public memorial service, please visit www.Parthemore.com .