James Sidney Prothro, Sr.

Bossier City, LA - James Sidney (Jim) Prothro, Sr. 85, passed away peacefully on October 23, 2018 with his family at his bed-side following a lengthy illness. He was born in Alexandria, Louisiana, on October 30, 1932. He attended Bossier High School his freshman year where he played football and saxophone in the band. His family moved to St. Francisville, Louisiana where he graduated in 1951. He continued to play football and play the saxophone and guitar though out high school. Following graduation, he enlisted in the Navy. He met his future wife, Monica Mary Peterson, while he was in submarine school in Groton, Connecticut, and they were married on December 27, 1952. When first married, they lived in Plainfield, Connecticut, while Jim serviced in the Navy. There first two sons, James Sidney Prothro, Jr. and David Charles Prothro, were born at the Navy Hospital in Groton, Connecticut. After Jim completed his service in the Navy, they moved to Coushatta, Louisiana. From there, they moved to Shreveport, Louisiana where there daughter, Desire' Marie Prothro, was born. In 1962, they moved to Bossier City, Louisiana where their third son, Raymond Daniel Prothro was born. In 1966, Jim returned to military service in the US Air Force Reserves at Barksdale Air Force Base in the 917^th Tactical Air Command where he served for 26 years until his retirement as a Master Sargent in November, 1993. Following his retirement from the Air Force Reserves, his community service continued as he was one of the founding fathers of the Bossier Parish Sheriff Posse. Jim was also a licensed amateur radio operator. Following Hurricane Katrina, Jim spent countless hours with fellow amateur radio operators assisting with communications for the rescue and recovery operations in South Louisiana. Jim served for many years as a Boy Scout Troop Leader for Troop 4588 while his sons were in the Boy Scouts. Jim loved boating, fishing and hunting, and was an accomplished story teller of the feats and follies of his boating, fishing and hunting adventures. Jim was affectionately known as \"Grampa\" to his grandchildren and great-grandchildren. Following his retirement, except while on patrol in his Bossier Parish Sheriff Posse Uniform, he was only seen wearing his overalls. So it came as no surprise that it was his wish to be buried in his overalls. Jim was preceded in death by his wife of 65 years, Monica Peterson Prothro; his daughter, Desire' Marie Prothro Burkman; his parents, Sidney David Prothro, Jr. and Shirley Catherine Harville Prothro; grandparents, Sidney David Prothro, Sr. (Papa Sid) and Lucey Allen Prothro; James Y. W. Harville (Papa Jim) and Louvenia Bamburg Harville; and his niece, Donn Fomby Kuelling Post. Jim is survived by his sister, Cathe Prothro Post, widow of Wray Post; sister, Sandra Prothro Fanta and her husband, Richard; his children: son and daughter-in-law, James Sidney (Jimmy) and Julie Turioscy Prothro, Jr.; son and daughter-in-law, David and Cindy Prothro; son, Raymond Prothro; grandchildren, Jennifer Prothro Gill and husband, Bobby; Jodie Prothro Baker and husband, Chris, Jordan Prothro Chandler and husband, Nathan; David Prothro, Jr. and wife, Amanda, Patrick Prothro and wife, Lauren; Jeremy Prothro and wife, Rochelle, Johnathan Prothro, Jessica Prothro, and Daniel Prothro; great grandchildren, Jason Bamburg; Ana Claire, Paige and Sydney Gill; Landry Baker; Jasmine, Jaylynn and Janelle Prothro; Davey, Jessie and Madison Prothro; Hudson and Chase Ann Prothro; cousin, Rhonda Kaye Florane; nieces and nephews, Sidney Dawson Fomby (Buddy); Michael David Fomby; Cathe Wray Kuelling Post, Christi Kuelling Lott and husband, Glen; Cliff Brown; Troy R. Fanta and wife, Barbara and Lisa Renee Fanta Touchet and husband, Jason; and numerous great nieces and nephews. The family would like to send heartfelt thanks to the doctors and nurses who cared for Jim and especially his primary care doctor, Dr. Maranto, and the doctors and nurses at Promise Hospital in Bossier City for their loving attention and compassionate care the past month. Services for James Sidney (Jim) Prothro, Sr. will be at 1 p.m. Monday, October 29, 2018 at Rose-Neath Bossier Chapel. Officiating will be Dr. Randy Harper. Interment will follow at Hill Crest Memorial Park Cemetery. Visitation will be Monday at the funeral home from 12 p.m. until 1 p.m.