James Pulford

James Pulford, age 83, of the Clearbrook/Gonvick area, and currently residing in Shevlin, MN, passed away on Wednesday (January 11th) at his winter home in Winter Haven, FL. Funeral services will be held at 11:00 a.m. on Friday (January 20th) at Calvary Evangelical Free Church in Bagley, MN with the Rev. Rick Moore officiating. Interment will be in Maple Hill Cemetery, rural Clearbrook. Visitation will be held from 5:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m. with a 7:00 p.m. prayer service on Thursday (January 19th) and for one hour prior to the service on Friday. All visitation will take place at Calvary Evangelical Free Church in Bagley. Military honors will be conducted by the Gonvick American Legion Post #304 and arrangements are with the Carlin-Hoialmen Funeral Home of Fosston. Messages of condolence may be sent at carlinhoialmen.com. James Raymond Pulford was born on August 4, 1928 in Gonvick, Minnesota to VTell and Rachel Pederson Pulford.  He graduated from Gonvick High School before joining the Navy. Mr. Pulford served his country for 22 years as a Chief Petty Officer during the Cold War Era. His naval career took him all over the world. Places he was stationed at included Turkey, Philippines, Bahrain, and both coasts of the United States. He retired in 1972 at the Recruiting station in Milwaukee, Wisconsin. The pinnacle of his military career was his assignment to the Commander of the Middle East Forces, Admiral King. This tour of duty was during the Israeli-Arab wars from 1967-1970. He was Admiral King's personal secretary and confidant.After retiring from the Navy, Mr. Pulford returned to the home of his youth. For the remainder of his life, his passion was to farm and assist the small farmer. Mr. Pulford felt the small farmer was disappearing from rural America and wanted to do everything he could to help them succeed.After his second battle with cancer in 1977, Mr. Pulford trusted Jesus Christ as his personal Savior. His commitment to Jesus Christ lead Mr. Pulford to volunteer his time and financial resources to dozens of charities and individuals with needs.He farmed and lived in Clearwater County until 2011. On January 11, 2012, Mr. Pulford passed away peacefully in Winter Haven, Florida, his winter home.Mr. Pulford is survived by his wife, Janice; his former wife, Clarita Pulford; two children, Wayne and his wife Naomi, and Linda and her husband John; six grandchildren, Jandi, Julia, Jonah, Jeorgianna, Chloe, and Elle; two great grandchildren, Landon and Audrey. He is also survived by his older brother, Charles Pulford. He will be deeply missed by all.He was preceded in death by his parents; and brother, William.Pallbearers: Johnny Gunvalson, Jim Gunvalson, Ken Gunvalson, Wayne Pulford, Jonah Pulford and John Diwishek.