James 'Dewey' Morzenti

ASHLAND, Wis. - James "Dewey" Morzenti, 69, of Ashland, passed away in Ironwood, Mich., on Sunday, Sept. 4, 2016, in the home of his best friend and caregiver Faye Korpi and under the care of hospice. "I am walking point for the rest of my family."

He was born in Ironwood to Albert and Pauline (Cornetto) Morzenti on Sept. 7, 1946.

Dewey graduated from J.E. Murphy High School in 1965 and then enlisted in the United States Air Force. After graduating from the Air Police Academy in Texas, he served in the Air/Security Police Unit in Alaska, Michigan and Thailand from 1965 to 1969. In 1968, he attended the Combat Judo Instructor School at Fairchild Air Force base in Washington. Following his discharge, he was a policeman with the Hurley Police Department from 1973 to 1975; he also enlisted in the Security Police Squad with the Minnesota Air National Guard. In 1975, he transferred to the Alaska Air Guard while employed as a state trooper and security guard for a pipeline on the North Slope and the airport in Anchorage. In 1977, he moved to Ashland and worked as a firefighter/paramedic. He also transferred back to the Minnesota Air Guard, deploying to Korea, Panama, Haiti, Saudi Arabia, Kuwait and Germany. He attained the status of Master Sergeant and earned many awards, including the Air Force Meritorious Medal, the Vietnam Service Medal, the Republic of Vietnam Campaign Medal, the National Defense Metal. In 1985, Ashland awarded him Citizen of the Year. He was a member of the Vietnam Veterans of America, Chapter 529; the Veterans of Foreign Wars, Post 1580; and the International Association of Firefighters. He retired from the military in 1999 and from the Ashland Fire Department in 2002. Following his retirement, he drove the Odanah school bus route for Lake Shore Buses.

Dewey enjoyed working on his log cabin at Island Lake, fishing in Alaska, traveling the world on military transport planes as space allowed, collecting guns, hunting and making firewood. He had a kind heart, a good sense of humor and a colorful personality. One always knew when Dewey was in the room. Family, friends and his Italian heritage were important to him. In July, his family and friends attended a celebration of his life; the Vietnam Veterans of America, Chapter 529, hosted the gathering.

Surviving are a son, Tuffy; a daughter, Jennifer (Brad) Lindner of Brookfield; two grandchildren, Maya and Elliot Lindner; sisters, Carol (Tim) Boyle of St. Augustine, Fla., and Karen (Dale) Sann of Schofield; brothers, Robert of Montreal, and Ronald (Charlotte) of Hurley and Ocala, Fla. Also surviving are three generations of nieces and nephews.

No longer surviving are a son, James Christopher; his brothers, Eugene, Jerry and Bert; sisters, Caroline, Marian and Dian; and a nephew, Bradd Gasbarri.

Range Funeral Service and Crematory, Ketola-Burla Funeral Home of Ironwood is assisting the family with arrangements. Pastor Rick Williams, a retired firefighter, will officiate at a brief graveside ceremony for family and close friends at the Saint Mary's Cemetery in Hurley on Thursday, Sept. 8, 2016, at 1 p.m. There will be Military Rites.

Express online condolences at rangefuneralservices.com and send memorials to Regional Hospice Services, 216 E. Aurora Street, Ironwood, MI 49938 - as you wish.