Courson

James DeWayne Courson, 79, of Emlenton, passed away early Thursday morning, Sept. 5, 2024, at Allegheny General Hospital in Pittsburgh after a sudden illness.

He was born in Butler on Feb. 8, 1945, to the late Harry D. and Thelma Rose Serafine Courson. He was baptized in the Catholic faith. Jim was a 1963 graduate of the Allegheny-Clarion Valley High School. Upon graduation, he joined the U.S. Air Force and served in Vietnam, where he was awarded the Vietnam Service Medal with Bronze Star and other commendations. He was a graduate of Pittsburgh Aeronautics Institute.

Always a gifted mechanic, in 1988 Jim purchased his first equipment to start his own automotive machine shop, Courson Engines. Building on his deep passion for all things racing, he began this venture with the goal of building winning race engines for all forms of motor sports, at which he was successful. Starting in 2006, his youngest son, Brad, joined him in the business. Jim remained active with the business every day until driving off into the sunset. Jim was a member of the Pennsylvania State Grange and VFW Post 2145 in Clarion.

He is survived by his wife of 43 years, Susan Courson of Emlenton; three sons, Clayton (Tammy) Courson of Emlenton, Adam (Danielle Blair) Courson of Knox and Bradford (Amanda) Courson of Emlenton; and one sister, Roseann (Ron) Klingler of Shreveport, La. He was blessed with three granddaughters, Jadyn, Cora and Kaley.

COURSON — Friends of James DeWayne Courson, who died Thursday, Sept. 5, 2024, will be received from 2 to 4 and 6 to 8 p.m. Sunday at BUZARD FUNERAL HOME, 201 S. Washington St., Eau Claire.

Military honors will be held at 10:45 a.m. Monday at the funeral home, followed by the funeral at 11 a.m.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Scrubgrass Grange, Emlenton, Pa., or the VFW.

To view/send condolences visit buzardfuneralhomes.com.

Please sign the guest book at www.butlereagle.com.