James “Jim” R. Brogan

Major (Retired USAF) James (Jim) Robert Brogan of Yorktown, Virginia, passed away peacefully on February 27, 2024, at the age of 70. He crossed into eternal light and love the way he lived: on his own terms, in his own time, and surrounded by the love of his Lord in heaven and his family and friends left behind to cherish the memories of the days we were given together. He is survived by his wife of 46 years, Monica (nee Terschuren) Marie Brogan, and sons David Allan and Edward Montgomery, brothers John (Carol) and Thomas (Nancy), sisters Mary and Diane (late Carl) Hynes. He was preceded in death by his parents Robert E. and Betty T. (nee Schuman) Brogan, brother Robert and sister Carol (nee Brogan) Gritzke. He was the beloved uncle of nieces Chrissy Gritzke, Katherine (Anthony) Solina, Dale Brogan, Molly Brogan (husband Eddie Schneider), and nephews Vincent Farallo, Michael Hynes, Joseph Brogan, and Andrew (Michelle) Hynes. He is lovingly remembered by his cousin Debra (nee Wozniak) Jawor (Tom), her children Kyle and Kim (Eric) Huffstetler, sister-in-law Therese Terschuren (husband James Parr), cousins and 6 grand nieces and nephews.
Jim attended Hamburg High School where he participated in many sports, played every brass instrument in the band, performed and sang lead in many musicals and worked on the yearbook. At Syracuse University he earned a BA in Economics, played on the soccer team and was commissioned as a 2nd Lt. in the USAF.
Jim served 20 years in the USAF as a B-52 Bombardier/Navigator, Flight Instructor, Flight Evaluator, and Staff Officer. He served in support of Desert Shield and Desert Storm. His awards include: Meritorious Service Medal with 1 oak leaf cluster, Air Force Commendation Medal with 1 oak leaf cluster, Air Force Outstanding Unit Award with 1 oak leaf cluster, and Air Force Combat Readiness Medal 2. Jim and Monica met on March 25, 1977 at Castle AFB, Atwater, CA, as he was finishing his flight training and preparing to start his assignment in the 644th Bomb Squadron at K.I Sawyer AFB in the Upper Peninsula of Michigan. They were married by Father James ReVello at The Holy Spirit Chapel on base on December 23, 1977. David and Edward were born at the base hospital. His next assignment was back to Castle AFB in Atwater CA, where he served in the 328th Bomb Squadron. The next move took the family to Strategic Air Command (SAC) Headquarters, Offutt AFB, Omaha, NE. His last assignment was to Air Combat Command (ACC) Headquarters at Langley AFB. He retired under the B-52 on static display in July, 1995.
While on active duty, Jim earned an MPA in Urban, State, and Federal Governance at Golden Gate University in 1985 and an MS ED from Old Dominion University in 1995. He and Monica studied Educational Administration and Policy Studies together at George Washington University.
He started his second career, in education, as a teacher of At-Risk students at the Regional Alternative Program (P/T) and in the Job Training Program (JTPA) at Gloucester County Public Schools, then serving as Network Technician, Coordinator for Network Services and Director of Technology for GCPS, retiring in 2019.
Jim was a lifelong lover of military history, reading, music, musicals, sci-fi movies, Star Wars, and a loyal Buffalo Bills fan. He enjoyed the challenge of a game of bridge, video games, and most any trivia contest. In retirement he enjoyed connecting with old friends, serving as Lay Eucharistic Minister, cooking and indoor hydroponic gardening of vegetables and herbs for his recipes.
Jim was a member of Phi Delta Kappa International, ASCD, ISTE, VSTE, VEA, CompTIA, MOAA, and AFA. He held a Virginia Postgraduate Professional License in History and Social Studies, A+ Certification and was a Novell Certified Administrator.
Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated Monday, March 25, 2024, 11 am at St Kateri Tekakwitha Catholic Church, 3800 Big Bethel Road, Tabb, VA. See https://www.stkateri.cc/ for live streaming information or call the church. Internment with full military honors will be at Arlington National Cemetery, time to be announced. Funeral arrangements by Amory Funeral Home, Yorktown, VA. www.AmoryFuneralHome.com
The family thanks the staff of Riverside Regional Medical Center, especially the Surgical Intensive Care Unit. The doctors and nurses provided care and comfort to Jim and his family during his time there. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made in Jim’s honor to St. Kateri Tekakwitha Knights of Columbus, KOC Council #17189, to support the Polar Plunge for Special Olympics.

To view the service:

https://m.youtube.com/channel/UC7kIs9tSy_TsGJaGMRocTRg