James "Jim" Hugh McCutcheon, 50, passed away in his home in Shoemakersville PA. on February 24, 2015.

Jim was born in Berwick PA. and was the youngest son of the late Edward J. and Elorient J. McCutcheon.

Jim's career in aviation began early on with his father Edward, a navy veteran and skilled pilot. His interest and commitment to flying grew and airports became like a second home to him. Jim earned his private pilot's license before graduating from high school. Jim was able to fly and log thousands of flight hours enabling him to earn many different single and multi-engine prop and jet ratings. He held several different Chief Pilot and Captain titles with a number of companies before becoming a highly regarded independent contract pilot and flight instructor. In any of the positions Jim held, he never forgot the local airports of Hazleton PA., Reading PA. and Bloomsburg PA.. They were all special to him. Bloomsburg offered the opportunity to get an additional un-written rating by flying under the old metal bridge that crossed the Susquehanna River. Jim has that rating. His fellow pilots and airport contacts were regarded as part of his extended family.

In memory, his family will honor Jim's life and passion for all things aviation. Surviving members of Jim's family are his eldest brother David McCutcheon, his eldest sister Linda McCutcheon, his youngest sister Jan McCutcheon and many nieces and nephews. Deceased family members are a brother Garry McCutcheon and a sister Margaret McCutcheon Chaya.

Funeral Services will be private at the request of the family. Family prefers donations to the Pennsylvania Wing of the Civil Air Patrol in Jim's name.

Louis D. Truskowsky Funeral Home & Crematory Inc. Mahanoy City is in charge of arrangements. Visit www.truskowskyfuneralhome.com to sign the guest book, send sympathy cards or view Video Tribute.