James Richardson Ainsworth

Captain James Richardson Ainsworth, aged 79, passed away peacefully in Las Vegas the morning of Friday, September 9, 2011, with his family by his side. Jim was born in a farmhouse in Marion, Kentucky, March 9, 1932, the first of two children of Irene Eskell and Seldon Jenkins Ainsworth.

During his childhood, he and his younger sister, Wanda Lois, lived on a farm near CaveInRock, Ill., where he developed a lifelong love of farm life and open land. During World War II, Jims family moved to Detroit, where his father worked for Ford on the assembly line. The contrasting experiences of country and city life greatly marked Jim, who upon graduating from Hazel Park High School, enlisted in the Air Force, and set off to serve his country and see the world. In 1954, he graduated the Air Force Cadet program, earning his wings as a fighter pilot flying the F84. Using the GI bill, USAF Capt. Ainsworth completed his associates degree in aviation management at Mt. San Antonio College in Los Angeles. There, at a pool party, he also met his love and partner in life, Nola Dellsite. They married July 10, 1959 on their lunch hour and enjoyed, for over 52 years, a loving relationship paralleled only in story books.

After his military career, Jim launched into commercial aviation with Zantop Air Transport as a pilot, flying C47 and C46 cargo transports, and later as Chief of Operations for both LA and Michigan bases. Jim and Nola started a family: in 1962, a son, Robert James arrived, followed by Michael Scott in 1963.

In February 1966, he began flying with Pan American Airways, his lifelong dream. Less than two months later, their first daughter, Jennifer Lee arrived. By the end of 1966, Jim and family moved to the island of Guam where he flew as Captain on the last of the legendary Pan Am flying boat service throughout the Western Pacific Islands. In 1968, looking to return to the mainland, the family settled in Las Vegas. In 1970, Jim was one of the first pilots to fly the B747, which he flew worldwide for many years.

In 1971, their youngest daughter, Joy Lynn was born. In 1975 he designed and built a house, workshop and ranch at the end of Spencer in the desert, miles south of Las Vegas at that time. There he continued his lifelong passions of restoring cars, as well as raising a variety of animals and crops with his wife and children. In 1987, Jim chose to fly Pan Ams coveted intraEuropean routes from airlines historic West Berlin base. Jim, Nola and Joy moved to West Berlin, lived there for several years, and were there as the wall came down. His last assignment was Captain of the Airbus A310 out of New York, the last 6 months of which was as a pilot with Delta Air Lines, as a result of their acquisition of Pan Am. At age 60, FAA regulations required Jim to retire as an airline pilot in the U.S.

Not ready to retire, Jim continued as an instructor training new pilots from around the world at Northwest Airlines Academy. A few years later he went to Gambia Africa as a B747 Captain, flying pilgrims to Mecca during the Hajj and evacuating refugees from Brazzaville during the civil unrest in The Congo.

By his late 60s, Jim jumped into retirement by designing and building another dream home, this one in Parhump, with his own hands. Located on several dozen acres it had it all enough room for all his cars, tools, projects and beautiful views from all angles.

Jim was a striking man, with his wonderful full head of white hair, blue eyes and welcoming smile. He was passionate about life, family, flying, fixing old cars, hunting and above all, his wife Nola. He attracted people from all walks of life and was a second father and trusted friend to many throughout his life.

His family Nola Robert and Jill Michael Jennifer and George Joy and Tim and his seven grandchildren Dustin, Kylie, Cami, Jackson, Ryan, Emily and Leilani will miss him dearly.
He will continue to be a hero and an inspiration to us all.

Visitation will be from 11 a.m.1 p.m. Sunday, Sept. 18, with services following, both at Davis Funeral Home, 6200 S. Eastern, Las Vegas, NV 89119. Tel. 702.736.6200. Graveside services will follow.

Visitation

Davis Memorial Chapel
6200 S. Eastern Ave.
Las Vegas, NV  89119
Sunday, September 18, 2011
11:00 A.M. to 1:00 P.M.

Service

Funeral Service

Davis Memorial Chapel
6200 S. Eastern Ave.
Las Vegas, NV  89119
Sunday, September 18, 2011
1:00 P.M.

Cemetery

Davis Memorial Park
6200 South Eastern Avenue
Las Vegas, NV  89119