James Arthur Confer

James Arthur Confer, 79, passed away at home on July 24, 2024. Born in Oil City, PA on April 24, 1945, to Helen & Perry Confer, he was the second of three children. He spent his grade school years in Oil City and moved to Kent, Ohio in the fourth grade where he met a lifelong friend at St. Patrick’s Grade School.

In 1963 Jim graduated from Kent Roosevelt High School where he played shortstop on the baseball team and sang in the choir. Always an incredibly hard worker, he held an after-school job at an auto body shop where he developed an appreciation for vintage British sports cars.

He married his high school sweetheart in college and joined the ROTC program at Kent State University where he earned his BS degree in Aerospace Technology in 1967. After graduating, he was commissioned a Second Lieutenant in the US Air Force. Training as a navigator, he rose quickly to Instructor Navigator in the C141 & saw action in Vietnam as a Strike Control & Reconnaissance Navigator in the Cessna O-2 Skymaster - receiving multiple citations including the Air Medal, seven Oak Leaf Clusters and the Distinguished Flying Cross. He was honorably discharged as a captain after five years of military service. His interest in flying continued throughout his life and he learned to fly gliders at 60.  

Earning an MBA in Finance from Southern Illinois University in 1973, he began a career in paperboard packaging that lasted over 40 years. Holding sales leadership and management positions, his career began in Philadelphia and involved many moves across the country, spending the last 28 years in Atlanta. Of all the business associates he met through the years, several have remained dear friends.  

Jim was smart, fun, outgoing and a positive thinker. Innovative & creative, he earned a reputation as a “can-do” guy, always finding solutions. He was a true type A personality, enjoying his work as much as his leisure, which included tennis, golf, skiing, sailing, camping and flying.

Although he had a demanding career, he always had time for his boys, ready to throw a ball, shoot hoops or hit the tennis courts. No matter the distance, Jim was always there to watch his boys play. He coached his sons’ baseball teams, enjoyed the outdoors, camping and back country exploring in a self-built family kayak. While living in Wisconsin, he developed an interest in sailing, bought a boat, a sailing book and the whole family took sailing lessons, an activity he continued to enjoy in retirement with his son, Chris, at Lake Lanier.

Later in life nothing brought him more joy than his two grandchildren. A music lover since high school, he enjoyed attending Atlanta Symphony Orchestra concerts and listening to opera. He & his wife enjoyed international travel & hosted dinners for students and adults from foreign countries through the Georgia International Visitors Program.

He was preceded in death by his parents, his sister, Helen Couture and brother, Robert Confer. He leaves Judy, his wife of 59 years, his son, Christopher (Jamee), Wyomissing, PA; son, Matthew (Katie); grandchildren: Ann-Dallas and Payne, Jackson, WY; brother-and-sisters-in-law and nieces and nephews.

The family would like to thank his caregivers and Longleaf Hospice who made it possible for him to remain in his home. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Atlanta Community Food Bank, acfb.org.

The immediate family will gather for a private remembrance ceremony and scattering of ashes. They invite family and friends to an open house at their home on Friday, August 30, from 3:00 PM - 5:00 PM.

To plant a beautiful memorial tree in memory of James Arthur Confer, please visit our Tree Store.