James M. Druckemiller

Chief Petty Officer, James Marvin Druckemiller, USN, Ret., 67, Topeka, passed away August 28, 2011 at Stormont-Vail Regional Health Center. Jim was born August 5, 1944 in Marion, Indiana, the son of Marvin and Sue (Huckery) Druckemiller. He graduated from Edward Drummond Libbey High School in 1961 and enlisted in the U.S. Navy. After training as a medical corpsman, Jim served on the USS Yellowstone (AD-27), USS Power (DD-839) and the USS Sierra (AD-18) from 1963 – 1967. Jim's medical training then carried over to the US Marine Corps, serving two tours of duty in Vietnam with "C" Battery, 1st LAAM Battalion, 1st MAW. After Vietnam, Jim was assigned to Navy Mobile Construction Battalion 62 and spent several years with the "SeaBees" on the island of Truk in the American Trust Territories before finishing the rest of his 21 year Navy career as an instructor at the Great Lakes Naval Training Center. Jim married Danya J. Hall on April 18, 1978 in Minden, Nevada, and has one daughter. He later graduated from National University in 1988 and retired from a second career as a Hazardous Materials Specialist for the County of Sacramento, California in the late 1990's. After relocating to Topeka in 2000, he pursued his passion for model railroads, exhibiting his layout building skills around the country as a part of the Great American Train Show circuit and at local model railroad events.

After retiring, Jim discovered that while serving aboard the USS Power, he had unknowingly been subjected to DOD testing of life-threatening chemical and biological agents, aka "Project SHAD," later becoming the unofficial national spokesperson for thousands of Navy and Marine Corps Veterans who were also exposed to the chemical testing. As a national advocate for Disabled Veteran's rights, Jim worked with the VVA, local legislators and testified on Capitol Hill to push the DOD for a full disclosure of what "Project SHAD" entailed to help other Veterans suffering from significant health concerns gain the medical care they deserved.

Survivors include wife, Danya Druckemiller, daughter, Janet Good (Todd), grandchildren Maddie & Ryan Good, sisters Karen Charles (Prem) and Marilyn Boudouris (Ron), brothers Robert Druckemiller (Jackie) and Roger Druckemiller and many nieces and nephews. Jim was preceded in death by his parents.

Visitation will be held from 10:00 am – 12:00 pm on Wednesday, August 31, 2011 at Dove Cremation and Funeral Service, 4020 SW 6th Avenue, Topeka, KS, 66606. Graveside service will follow at 2:00 pm at Penwell-Gabel Cemetery, 3616 SW 6th Avenue, Topeka.