James Z. Menard

A private graveside service will be held at Maple Grove Cemetery for James Z. Menard, 94, of Granville. Jim died June 25 at Kendal at Granville. He was born in 1919 in Nady, Arkansas to the late Julian Zack and Bessie Clark Menard.

A 1941 graduate of Arkansas State Teachers College, presently known as University of Central Arkansas, Jim served in the U.S. Army during WWII. He was appointed a second lieutenant in the Signal Corps in November 1941 and went to England in January 1942, where he served as a radar instructor with the Royal Air Force, and later, in France and Germany, worked in technical intelligence. He was awarded the Legion of Merit for work in counter-mortar radar development. After his return from Europe as a Major, in 1945, he joined Bell Telephone Laboratories in New York. At the Labs in Whippany, New Jersey, he was active in the development of telephone technology, including switching systems, and he was awarded several patents in telephone equipment. In 1965, he transferred to Bellcomm in Washington where he was involved with NASA's Apollo program. In 1972, he returned to Bell Laboratories in Columbus as a laboratory director, and retired in 1982.

Jim was a member of the Granville Tennis Club, was an active woodworker, and an avid dog lover.

Surviving are his sons and daughters-in-law, James and Joan Menard of New Hope, Virginia, Peter and Randi Menard of State College, Pennsylvania, and David and Jenny Menard of Mukilteo, Washington; son-in-law, Steve Nycum of West Chester, Pennsylvania; and nine grandchildren.

In addition to his parents, Jim was preceded in death by his wife of 63 years, Shirley S. Menard, who died February 19, 2013; daughter, Susan Nycum, who died January 15, 2012; and two sisters.

Arrangements are in the care of McPEEK-HOEKSTRA FUNERAL HOME in Granville. Online condolences may be expressed at www.mcpeekhoekstra.com.

Memorial contributions may be made to Rescue Me! at www.rescueme.org. or to a charity of choice.