Colonel James A. MacDougald, United States Air Force (Ret.), age 84, a resident of Colorado Springs since 1972, passed away on Tuesday, January 15, 2013 at his home in Colorado Springs. He had retired from the United States Air Force in 1980 after serving his county for over 27 years. He was a successful entrepreneur and business owner, serving as president and CEO of AMI Industries, Inc. He was a loving husband, father, grandfather and great-grandfather.
James Austin MacDougald was born on June 12, 1928 in East Providence, Rhode Island to the late Joseph and Loretta (Reynolds) MacDougald. He was a graduate of Saint Raphael Academy in Pawtucket, Rhode Island; Holy Cross College; and did his graduate work at Syracuse University in New York. He was a distinguished Air Force fighter pilot, a decorated combat veteran, and Air Force Association Gerrity Award winner as outstanding Air Force logistics and maintenance officer for 1976. While serving as president and CEO of AMI, he was instrumental in guiding development of the Space Shuttle crew seats, as well as manufacturing the crew and flight attendant seats for many commercial aircraft. In his spare time, he enjoyed flying his RV-6A and served on the board of directors for Pikes Peak Hospice, Catholic Charities, the Independence Institute of Denver, and the Legatus Society, among many others.
He married Michaele Elaine Griffith Partin on December 12, 1981 in Colorado Springs. Michaele survives and lives in Colorado Springs.
He is also survived by six children: Michael MacDougald of Denver, Colorado; Brian (wife, Suzy) MacDougald of San Antonio, Texas; Bill MacDougald of Avon, Colorado; Teresa (husband, Jeff) Rooney of Colorado Springs; Siena (husband, Tim) Cook of Flower Mound, Texas; and Timothy (wife, Mary) Partin of Colorado Springs. He has 21 wonderful grandchildren and 5 great-grandchildren. He is also survived by his sister: Loretta (husband, Armand) LaPierre of Rehobeth, Massachusetts. He was preceded in death by five brothers, four of them serving concurrently during World War 2.
A memorial mass with Air Force honors will be held at 11:00 a.m. on Monday, January 21, 2013 at Holy Apostles Catholic Church, 4925 Carefree Circle North, Colorado Springs, Colorado 80917. A luncheon reception at the church will follow.
Memorials in his name may be made to the Holy Apostles Catholic Church Memorial Fund or to the Pikes Peak Hospice Foundation, 2550 Tenderfoot Hill Street, Colorado Springs, Colorado 80906.
Blessed be his memory.