Harold Broadwater

Westernport, MD

Harold “Jim” Broadwater, 81, of Westernport, passed away suddenly on Tuesday, March 20, 2012 at Western Maryland Regional Medical Center, Cumberland.

Born on June 14, 1930 in Barton, he was the son of the late Reuben Bond and Ethel Florance (Broadwater) Broadwater.  In addition to his parents, he was also preceded in death by his brothers, Vernon and Eldred Broadwater, a granddaughter, Ashley Nicole Willis in 2003, and a great grandson, Brycen Gene Willis in 2010.

Dad worked for the B&O Railroad, Keyser, WV, as a machinist apprentice until drafted by the Army in 1951.  He spent 18 months stationed in Germany during the Korean War.  Upon his return, he resumed work for the railroad and completed his apprenticeship.  In December 1954, he was hired by Westvaco and worked as a machinist.  During his employment he performed many difficult assignments in the machine shop.  He was excited with the challenge of a job that had never been attempted before and to achieve it gave him enormous satisfaction.  He retired in 1995 with over 40 years of dedicated service.  Thanks Dad for being such a good provider.

Dad attended Barton Schools until 10th grade.  He graduated from Bruce High School in 1948.  He was captain of the first ever, 1948 Class C Basketball Champions at Bruce High.  He was an avid athlete and loved all sports.  The Los Angeles Dodgers was his favorite baseball team.  Many nights he would stay up late to cheer on his west coast team to another victory.  Dad would bleed dodger blue.

Dad was a member of the Allegany Beagle Club, Cumberland.  He presided in an official capacity as a judge for numerous beagle trials.  In this position he traveled to many parts of the eastern United States.  Every summer our family vacation would be in a different southern state.

Dad was a former member of the Westernport Church of the Brethren.  He attended the First Assembly of God Church, Westernport.

Survivors are his wife of 60 years, Norma Lee (Moorehead); one son, James Lynn Broadwater (Debra), Keyser, WV, four daughters, Karen J. Broadwater of Baltimore, Sharon K. Wolfe (Dennis) of Bloomington, Ruth Ann Jones of Westernport, Nancy L. Kroll (Steven) of Bloomfield Hills, Michigan; eleven grandchildren, Autumn Starr (Lease) Painter of Frederick, April Joy Lease-Grogan of Jacksonville, FL, Amber Lynn Lease-Gordon of Pasadena, Alicia Renee Willis and Austin Ryan Willis of Westernport, Dennis Leslie Wolfe II and Tracey Lynn Wolfe of Bloomington, Crystal Dawn Wolfe of Westernport, Jeremy Paul Kroll of Bloomfield Hills, Michigan, and Heather Lynn Palacios of Keyser, WV; thirteen great grandchildren, Andrew, Monica, Emily, Darrian, Cameron, Ethan, Ashton, Addison, Maddox, Blake and the twins, Bryson and Matthew and Skyler.  He is also survived by one sister, Dolores Curley of College Park, four brothers, Clyde Broadwater of Barton, Kenneth Broadwater of Germantown, Dr. Ronald Broadwater of Cockeysville and Gary Broadwater of Antioch, WV, and several in-laws, nieces and nephews.  Dad always said, “There are only two kinds of people in the world, Broadwaters and them that wish they were.”  Dad was very proud of his heritage and instilled that in all of us.

Dad enjoyed spending time in the great outdoors.  He greatly anticipated the fall season because of his love for hunting.  He was most passionate of his hunting cabin in Garrett County where he could enjoy the beauty of the different seasons.  He taught us to respect nature and his tremendous work ethics.  He always said he would wear out the knees on his britches before he would wear out the seat and boy was he right.

Friends will be received at the Boal Funeral Home, 111 Church St, Westernport, on Saturday, March 24th from 2 to 4 and 7 to 9 PM.

A funeral service will be conducted a the First Assembly of God Church, 210 Maryland Ave, Westernport, on Sunday, March 25th at 2:00 PM, with Rev. Greg A. Hammond officiating, with viewing one hour prior.

Interment will be in Philos Cemetery, Westernport, with military honors.  Dad considered it an honor to have served his country and fellow Americans.  We often wondered if his love for his country had something to do with the date he was born, June 14th, Flag Day.  He always joked the put the flags out downtown for his birthday.

Pallbearers will be his sons-in-laws and grandsons.

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