Story of Fallen Veteran, Meals On Wheels Volunteer, Gains National Attention

All of us at Meals On Wheels of Stark & Wayne Counties were saddened to learn of the passing of James Catron, a volunteer at our Brewster site. Jim, a decorated Korean War veteran, died on Memorial Day while attempting to replace the U.S. Flag on the TV tower outside of his home in Richville, Ohio.

Jim had used a safety belt to tie himself to the tower as he worked on replacing the flag. Paramedics lowered him to the ground, and it was later determined that he had died of natural causes.

In a touching show of respect, local firefighters later returned to the Catron home to replace the flag. "It was Memorial Day, and he was trying to be patriotic," firefighter Larry Sedlock told a local reporter. "It was the only thing we could do to help out."

The story first appeared in The Independent in Massillon, Ohio, and then was picked up nationally by FoxNews.com and other outlets via an Associated Press report.

Jim, 83, had been a volunteer with Meals On Wheels of Stark & Wayne Counties for 15 years.

"Jim was very kind-hearted and was the kind of person who would do anything for anybody," said Linda Spielman, volunteer coordinator for Meals On Wheels.

"Not only did he volunteer with us, but he was a family friend going back well over 40 years," said Tom Delamater, public relations administrator for the agency. "He was a kind and gentle soul and will be missed."

We are grateful for his service to Meals On Wheels, and extend our condolences to the Catron family.

The story in The Independent: "Perry veteran dies while changing flag"

The story on FoxNews.com: "Korean War Veteran Dies While Replacing Flag at Ohio Home on Memorial Day"

Television report from WKYC-Ch 3 in Cleveland: "War veteran dies replacing flag"