ROGERS — Brigadier General James R. Joy,

USMC (Retired), age 84, died Aug. 4 in Rogers, Ark. He was born Sept 20, 1935, in Conception Junction, Mo., to Stanley and Viola Joy.

Jim graduated from Jefferson High School and Northwest Missouri State University in Maryville, Mo., with a B.S. degree in Education. He also held an M.S. degree in Public Administration from George Washington University and an M.A. degree in Human Affairs from the University of Oklahoma. Commissioned a Second Lieutenant in June 1957, he attended The Basic School at Quantico, Va. From there he reported to Camp Pendleton, Calif., where he served as a Platoon Leader with the 1st Marine Division. In February 1959, he was ordered to duty aboard the aircraft carrier USS ORISKANY (CVA-34), as the Executive Officer of the ship’s Marine Detachment. The next three years were with Headquarters and Headquarters Squadron, Marine Corps Air Station, Santa Ana, Calif., where he served consecutively as Adjutant, Executive Officer and Commanding Officer. He was promoted to Captain in June 1962.

In June 1963, General Joy received orders to Washington, D.C., for duty with the 13th Infantry Battalion, USMCR. Next, he was deployed to Vietnam for duty with the 26th Marines. While in Vietnam, he was promoted to Major in February 1967. He returned to the United States in July 1967 and attended the Command and Staff College at Quantico. Upon graduation, he was assigned to the office of the Secretary of Defense in Washington, D.C.

He returned to Vietnam for duty as an advisor with the Vietnamese Marine Corps in July 1971 followed by duty in the Panama Canal Zone, where he served as Commanding Officer of the Marine Barracks as well as Marine Officer on the Staff of Commander, U.S. Naval Forces, Southern Command. He was promoted to Lieutenant Colonel in September of 1973.

Transferred to the United States, General Joy spent three years at Headquarters Marine Corps, Washington, D.C., in the Operations Division. In 1978-79 General Joy was a student at the Army War College, Carlisle Barracks, Pa., and upon graduation, he reported to Camp Lejeune for duty with the 2nd Marine Division, serving initially as G-1, Commanding Officer of the 8th Marines and for the last year, Chief of Staff. While in this assignment he was promoted to Colonel in July 1979.

General Joy was assigned duty as the Fleet Marine Officer on the Staff of Commander, 6th Fleet in May 1982. In February 1983 he was selected for promotion to Brigadier General. In July 1983 he was promoted and assigned duty as the Assistant Division Commander, 2d Marine Division, FMF, Atlantic, Camp Lejeune, N.C. Nov 1983 he was assigned as the Commanding General of the 22d Marine Amphibious Unit in Lebanon after the Beirut bombing. In February 1984 he became the Commander of Joint Task Force, Lebanon. In May 1984, he was assigned duty as the Deputy Commanding General, Marine Corps Recruit Depot and Deputy Commanding General, Eastern Recruiting Region, Parris Island, S.C. He served as the Marine Corps Director of Personnel Procurement from 1985-1988 in Washington, D.C.

Upon military retirement in June 1988, he became Director of the Marine Corps Morale, Welfare, and Recreation (MWR) programs serving in that capacity until civilian retirement in November 1996.

His medals and decorations include: Defense Superior Service Medal, Purple Heart, Legion of Merit with Combat “V” and three gold stars in Lieu of fourth award; Bronze Star Medal with Combat “V”, Joint Service Commendation Medal; Navy Commendation Medal with Combat “V”, National Defense Service Medal: Vietnam Serve Medal; Sea Service Deployment Ribbon; Republic of Vietnam Cross of Gallantry with Silver Star; and the Republic of Vietnam Campaign Medal with device.

Jim was preceded in death by his father and mother, Stanley and Viola Joy; his brothers, Jerry Joy, Gary Joy, Ronnie Joy and Dwight Joy.

General Joy is survived by his wife, Patty Joy of the home; daughters, Amy Celec and husband Mike of Virginia Beach, Va., and Abby McCullough and husband Tony of Rogers, Ark.; Richard Joy and wife Sharon of Lawson, Mo., Mark Joy and wife Charlene of Jamestown, N.D.; grandchildren, Scott and Sara Celec of Virginia Beach, Va., Paige Combs of Rogers, Ark., and Carson McCullough of Davenport, Iowa; as well as many nephews, nieces and cousins.

A special thanks to Circle of Life for hospice care, Good Shepherd for home care, Elite Home Health for veteran’s care and Jim and Patty’s personal caregivers for their love and professionalism over the last few years.

A Celebration of Life will be held at a later date and he will be laid to rest in Arlington National Cemetery.

Arrangements by Benton County Funeral Home, 306 N. 4th, Rogers. Online condolences to www.bentoncountyfuneralhome.com.