Obituary of SFC James R. Voss

James Rowland Voss passed away Saturday, February 1, 2014. Mr. Voss was 81 years old and born in Halls, Tennessee. Mr. Voss retired from the Veterans Administration (Columbia, South Carolina) after 20 years of service. Prior to working at the Veterans Administration, SFC Voss served and was honorably discharged after 21 years in the U.S. Army. Serving during the Korean and Vietnam wars, SFC Voss attained the rank of SFC (Germany, Kansas, South Carolina) early in his career. As a drill sergeant, he trained numerous young men and prepared them for the Vietnam campaign. SFC Voss a man of integrity, honor and ethics, stood the test of a combat warrior and never wavered from his leadership skills, responsibilities and professionalism in the classroom, field or in actual combat. A man of distinguishable characteristics, acknowledged by field leaders and numerous company commanders, was dependable and instrumental in saving many lives during the Vietnam campaign. SFC Voss has been acknowledged by numerous soldiers, Non and commissioned officers throughout his active duty and after retirement for his effective mentorship and commitment to converting lives and having a profound life -long impact on numerous lives. SFC Voss received numerous awards, decorations and citations. A Purple Heart recipient (twice), SFC Voss was severely wounded in the Vietnam campaign. Mr. Voss was pre-deceased by his parents, Mr. Marvin Luther Voss and Mrs. Alpha Carter Chambers Voss, sister, Katrina Joyce Voss (Roger Stimpson), brothers, Maurice Marvin Voss, and W.C. Meeks. He is survived by his younger brother Jonathan Daniel Voss, children, nieces, nephews and grand-children of Brownsville and Halls, Tennessee. Mr. Voss met his loving wife, "the only woman he loved" in Bamberg, Germany. They were married in 1955 in Bamberg, Germany. Mr. Voss is survived by his loving family, wife of 59 years, Mrs. Sophie Rossert Voss (Of Bamberg, Germany), daughters Linda Voss Ruess, Brenda Voss Podewil (Ted, U.S. Army Retired Major),and son James (Jim) R. Voss, Jr. (Lori), grand-children and great-grandchildren. A funeral service celebrating the life and legacy of SFC (Ret.) James R. Voss, 81, of Columbia will be held at 2:00 p.m. Thursday, February 6, 2014 at Thompson Funeral Home Chapel at Greenlawn Memorial Park, 845 Leesburg Road, Columbia, SC 29209 with Reverend Noble Miller officiating. Full military honors and interment will follow in Greenlawn Memorial Park. The family will receive friends from 1:00 p.m. until the hour of the service on Thursday at the funeral home. In lieu of flowers, please consider a donation to The Vietnam Veterans of America, Inc. in SFC Voss memory. On-line condolences may be sent to www.Thompsonsfuneral.com. The family would like to express their gratitude to MSG (Ret.) Dale Abbott for his friendship, fellowship, support and watch-full, caring kindness. Dr. Bennett and Dr. Norma Khoury for their care, kindness and commitment to a quality life. From the Voss family to our many friends, neighbors, American Legion Riders, US Army Honor Guard at Fort Jackson, SC, we thank you for your support.