Posted by The Rev. David B. Linka on June 30, 2014:

Colonel (Retired US Army) James Edward Linka of New Bern, North Carolina, died Tuesday, June 24, in Greenville, North Carolina. The son of Theodore and Cornelia Linka, Jim was born and raised in Sioux City, Iowa. From an early age, he had a passion for music. He mastered the flute, piccolo and saxophone and developed a beautiful bass singing voice. Throughout his adult life, Jim sang in choirs and barbershop groups, and sang and acted in many musical productions. Jim graduated from West Point in 1953, majoring in math, physics and chemistry, and spent most of his 25 year Army career in Air Defense Artillery. He later earned a Masters Degree in Engineering from the University of Arizona. He was an expert marksman, and served in Korean and Viet Nam. Ultimately, his greatest military influence was in the research, development and production of the shoulder-firing Stinger surface-to-air missile. He was also a US military representative to NATO and received many commendations throughout his career. After the Army, Jim maintained close ties with the defense industry, working in research and development for several contractors. He later worked with H & R Block for ten years as a tax preparer. He was an avid Washington Redskins and Carolina Panthers fan, an extreme rollercoaster enthusiast, and a model train buff. He also enjoyed playing cribbage and bridge, travelling and the arts. He was married to the former Barbara Brenner from 1953 to 1988. He is survived by their three children, William Linka (Richmond, Virginia), Jane Trnka (Maitland, Florida), and The Rev. David Linka (Morehead City, North Carolina). Their grandchildren are Jeffrey Linka (Richmond, Virginia), Elisabeth Linka (Richmond, Virginia), Alexis Fila (Petoskey, Michigan), Meredith Linka (Morehead City, North Carolina), Aaron Trnka (Maitland, Florida), and David "Brenner" Linka (Morehead City, North Carolina). Jim is survived by two sisters, Avis Odenbaugh (Kansas City, Missouri) and Norma Laity (Sun City West, Arizona); two nephews, Robert Winsor (Mundlein, Illinois), Stephen Winsor (Roselle, Illinois); and a niece, Judith Winsor (Hoffman Estates, Illinois). Jim is also survived by his former wife, Margaret Linka, to whom he was married from 1988 to 2008. Additionally, Jim leaves behind many dear friends at McCarthy Court, in New Bern, North Carolina. A celebration of Jim's life and resurrection will be held this Wednesday, July 2, 2014, at 6:00 pm, at All Saints Anglican Church, 292 McCabe Road, Newport, North Carolina. The Rt. Rev. Doc Loomis will officiate. In lieu of flowers, the family requests that contributions be designated to the All Saints' Columbarium Beautification Fund.

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