CLAREMONT, NH— James Donald March, 58, passed away unexpectedly on April 27, 2025. Jim was born on April 26, 1967, in Oneonta, NY. As an infant, he moved to Schenectady County, NY, with his parents, Dawn & Herbert March, where he grew up and graduated from Schalmont High School in Rotterdam, NY with the Class of 1985. He attended Morrisville Community College and earned his Associate Degree at Hudson Valley Community College in 1988.
Jim enlisted in the Navy on October 27, 1989, and served proudly and faithfully for 17 years. During that time, he was stationed aboard the USS Independence in Japan, the USS Kitty Hawk in San Diego, and the USS Enterprise in Norfolk, as well as land duty stations in Cape Girardeau, MO, and Brunswick, ME, receiving many awards and recognitions.
He married Kathleen Atwood on October 22, 1994, and they celebrated their 30th anniversary this past October. After his honorable discharge in 2006, he moved his family back to Kathleen’s hometown of Claremont, NH, where he worked at AirGas until his health crisis in October 2019 that left him totally disabled. During his time in Claremont, his greatest pleasure was being with his children, watching them grow, and being involved in their sports and scouting activities. He was an avid Yankee fan and bowler and a member of the board of the New Hampshire State Bowling Association. He also served two years as the JV coach for the bowling team at Stevens High School in Claremont. He also became a lifetime member of the Claremont American Legion and the New Hampshire VFW. In recent years, he enjoyed his trips to the casinos and spent his last day celebrating his birthday at MGM Springfield with a show by his favorite comedian, Jeff Allen, whom he was thrilled to meet up with in the elevator.
Jim was predeceased by his grandparents, Donald & Frances Bullis of Otego, NY, and George & Marion March of Oneonta, NY, his father-in-law and his wife, John & Kathi Atwood of Croydon, NH, and his mother-in-law, Georgia Hamilton of St. Louis, MO. He is survived by his parents of Rotterdam, NY, his wife, Kathleen March, his son, Ryan March, and his daughter, Jenna March, all of Claremont, NH. Jim is also survived by his sister, Caryn March of Rotterdam, NY, his brother, Kevin March of Albany, NY, and his sister-in-law Mary Pat (Michael) Russeau of St. Louis, MO. Uncle Jimmy will also be greatly missed by his nieces and nephews, Matthew (Janeen) March, Sr., Kayla March, Kira (Jordan Rodriguez) March, and Jacob March and his great-grand niece and great-grand nephews whom he doted on, Aria VanWormer, Zane Rodriguez, Matthew March, Jr., and Adyn VanWormer. He is also survived by many aunts, uncles, and cousins.
A service will be held at Stringer Funeral Home, 146 Broad St, Claremont, NH on Tuesday, May 6, at 11 a.m. Visitation hours will be held prior to the service from 9-11 a.m. Burial will follow at 2 p.m. at the New Hampshire State Veterans Cemetery in Bocawen, NH. A celebration of Jim’s life will also be held in Rotterdam, NY, at a later date.
To watch Jim’s service live, please visit www.stringerfh.com select Jim’s obituary and click view service.
