James DeWayne Courson, 79, of Emlenton, passed away early Thursday morning, September 5, 2024, at Allegheny General Hospital in Pittsburgh after a sudden illness.
He was born in Butler, PA, on February 8, 1945, to the late Harry D. and Thelma Rose Serafine Courson. He was baptized in the Catholic faith.
Jim was a 1963 graduate of the Allegheny-Clarion Valley High School. Upon graduation, he joined the United States Air Force and served in Vietnam, where he was awarded the Vietnam Service Medal with Bronze Star and other accommodations. He was a graduate of Pittsburgh Aeronautics Institute.
Always a gifted mechanic, in 1988 Jim purchased his first equipment to start his own automotive machine shop, Courson Engines. Building on his deep passion for all things racing, he began this venture with the goal of building winning race engines for all forms of motorsports, at which he was successful. Starting in 2006 his youngest son Brad joined him in the business. Jim remained active with the business every day until driving off into the sunset. Jim was a member of the
Pennsylvania State Grange and the VFW post 2145 in Clarion.
He is survived by his wife of 43 years, Susan Courson, of Emlenton, three sons: Clayton
(Tammy) Courson of Emlenton; Adam (Danielle Blair) Courson of Knox; Bradford (Amanda)
Courson of Emlenton and one sister, Roseann (Ron) Klingler of Shreveport, LA. He was blessed with three grandaughters: Jadyn, Cora, and Kaley.
Friends will be received at the Buzard Funeral Home in Eau Claire (201 S. Washington St.) on Sunday, September 8, 2024, from 2-4 and 6-8 PM. Military Honors will be held the following day on Monday, September 9, 2024, at the Funeral Home at 10:45 am followed by the Funeral at 11 AM.
In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Scrubgrass Grange, Emlenton, PA or the VFW.
To view/send condolences visit buzardfuneralhomes.com
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