IJAMSVILLE, Md. — James Profilet Couillard, 77, of Damascus, Md., died peacefully in the loving care of hospice, surrounded by his family,  Monday, March 29, 2010, due to complications from Parkinson’s disease.

A memorial mass to celebrate his life will be 11 a.m. Saturday, April 17, 2010, at St. Ignatius of Loyola Catholic Church.

A reception will follow immediately in the church social hall.

Burial will be at the U.S. Naval Academy Columbarium in Annapolis, Md.

Arrangements are under the direction of Taylor Funeral Home in Annapolis, Md.

Jim was born May 24, 1932, in Natchez, the son of Louis Emile Profilet Couillard and Ruby Holloway Couillard. He spent his early years enjoying life alongside the Mississippi River, where he was a 1950 graduate of Natchez High School. In the summer of 1950, Jim began a new chapter in his life when he entered the U.S. Naval Academy as a Midshipman and was assigned to the 17th Company. During his four years at the USNA, he enjoyed competing as a member of the gymnastics team. The day after graduation from the USNA with a degree in civil engineering, he married Jean Rider of Linthicum Heights, Md., on June 5, 1954.

As a newly commissioned officer, Jim attended the Naval Air Test Center as a flight student in Pensacola, Fla., where he earned his wings in June 1955. He then went on to earn his advanced multi-engine rating in Hutchison, Kan., in December 1955. From January 1956 through November 1957, Jim was a pilot with VW-13, stationed at the Patuxent River Naval Air Station and Naval Air Station Argentia, Newfoundland, responsible for Airborne Early Warning. He then joined the Fleet Tactical Support Squadron (VR-24) as a pilot in Port Leoti, Morocco for two years. While stationed overseas, Jim and Jean enjoyed traveling to some of the beautiful cities of Europe. Upon his return from Morocco, Jim was a pilot and film project supervisor for the U.S. Naval Photographic Center in Washington, D.C.

In 1962, Jim began his civilian career as a project supervisor with the Burroughs Corporation, utilizing his engineering background. He then joined the staff of the U.S. Department of the Navy in 1967, working in the Pentagon and other locations in the Washington, D.C., area. Upon his retirement from the Department of the Navy, Jim was employed with a defense contractor, providing his expertise to improve the flight seat ejection systems of military aircraft.

Jim was a member and extraordinary minister of Holy Communion of St. Ignatius of Loyola Catholic Church in Ijamsville. He enjoyed spending time at the family’s lake house on Smith Mountain Lake near Bedford, Va., whether it was cruising on the lake in his pontoon boat, watching the grandchildren swim, or simply relaxing with a good book on the dock.

Over the years, Jim and Jean enjoyed attending Baltimore Colts and Baltimore Orioles games. He was also a big fan of the Navy Midshipmen  and very much enjoyed sitting with friends to cheer on Navy football. There were a number of fond memories with special friends near and far. Jim’s kind and gracious manner has been described by friends as that of a “true southern gentleman.” Jim will be remembered most for his devotion to his family and friends.

He was preceded in death by his parents.

Survivors include his loving wife of 55 years, Jean; four children, Steven and wife, Judy, of Frederick, Md., Kevin and wife, Karen, of Johns Creek, Ga., Gregg and wife, Wendy, of Germantown, Md., and Melissa of Damascus; nine grandchildren, Bradley, William, Andrew, Melanie, Kyle, Ryan, Nathan, Allison and Samuel; and one sister, Senith Couillard Tipton and her family of Jackson.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the National Parkinson Foundation Donor Services, 1501 NW Ninth Ave., Miami, FL 33136 or Montgomery Hospice, 1355 Piccard Drive, Suite 100, Rockville, MD 20850.