Ssgt James Wilford Cawley Obituary (1961 - 2003)

SSgt. James Wilford Cawley LAYTON - James (Jim) Cawley, 41, our beloved fallen soldier and hero died Saturday, March 29 in Iraq while defending and protecting our freedom. James was born on August 28, 1961 at Vandenberg AFB, California. He was the fourth child of seven born to Cecil M. (Rocky) Cawley and Mary Harling Cawley. He also lived in England and Texas prior to moving to Roy, Utah where James graduated from Roy High School in 1979 and attended Weber State University. He served an LDS mission in Fukuoka, Japan from 1981-83. He had a firm testimony of the gospel of Jesus Christ. James fell in love with the Japanese people and culture. He joined the United States Marines Corps and was stationed in Adak, Alaska and Camp Pendleton, California and traveled the world before being stationed in Okinawa, Japan. He met and married his beautiful wife Miyuki Miyagi Cawley there. She was the love of his life and he was so pleased to bring her home to his family. He was the very proud father of Cecil and Keiko, the children he adored. First and foremost, James was a family man. James left active duty with the Marines so he could pursue a new career in law enforcement. He was highly recruited by many municipal police departments but chose Salt Lake City PD. He attended their Salt Lake Police Academy in 1997 and graduated with top honors, receiving the Top Gun Award and the Blue Shirt Award as the overall top recruit. He worked for the Police Department in Salt Lake City on S.W.A.T. and City Gangs. He was passionate about his work on the force and loved the men and women he worked with. James was called back to active duty with the Marines in January 2002 and sent to Iraq as part of Operation Iraqi Freedom. James is survived by his wife Miyuki Cawley, his son Cecil T. Cawley, age eight, and his daughter Keiko Cawley, age six, all of Layton. He is also survived by his father Cecil M. Cawley, Roy and his parents-in-law Takemitsu and Aiko Miyagi of Okinawa, Japan, his brother and sisters: Debbie (Richard) Seamons of Allyn, Washington; Julie (Randy) Hanson of Roy, Utah; Michael (Sandy) Cawley of Roy, Utah; Susan (Michael) Norton of Mesquite, Texas; Lori (Roth) Antonich of Pleasant View, Utah; and Kimberly (Corey) Coons of Roy, Utah and brother-in-law Hiroto (Yoko) of Tokyo, Japan. Also survived by 21 nieces and nephews and three great-nieces and nephews and beloved aunts and uncles in the United States and Great Britain. He was preceded in death by his mother, Mary Harling Cawley, who loved him dearly. Funeral services with full military and police honors will be held at noon Thursday, April 10 at the Bountiful Regional Center. There will be no public viewing or reception but those wishing to attend should arrive early. Interment will be in the Roy City Cemetery. We are deeply saddened by his death and will miss his influence in our lives. The family wishes to extend their gratitude to the Marine Corps and the Salt Lake Police Department for their attention and sensitivity at this very difficult time. Thank you to the media for their tributes to James and to all those who have sent food, cards, flowers, sympathies and prayers for our family. We are absolutely overwhelmed by the outpouring that has been shown. In lieu of flowers, a memorial fund has been set up for the Cawley children and donations are being taken at any America First Credit Union. ServiceBountiful Regional Center 835 North 400 East North Salt Lake,, UT April 10, 2003 12:00 PM CemeteryRoy City Cemetery 5200 South 2300 West Roy, UT 84067 April 10, 2003