Cdr. James Nemec, USNR, Attorney At Law, of Palm Beach, FL, passed away peacefully on Saturday, June 1, 2002. He was 93 years old. A descendent of Count Karmazin of Bohemia, he was born July 1, 1908, in Chicago, IL, the son of Mary and Vaclav “James” Nemec. He was predeceased by his beloved wife, Ruth Bartlett Nemec in 1994. He leaves a devoted family to cherish his memory, children, Mary Doremus (Ted) of McLean, VA, Ruth Spradley (Jon) of Lake Clark Shores, FL, Frances Lee Green (Barney) of El Dorado, CA, Gale of Arlington, VA, James III of Los Angeles, Deborah Tyner (Greg) of Boca Raton, FL and Joy Werner (Tom) of New York, NY; grandchildren, Heather Lee Heard, Theodore J. Doremus, Richard “Brody” Doremus, Jon C. Spradley Jr., Benjamin Spradley, Trevor Tyner, Morgan Tyner and Grant Tyner; cousin, Richard Moore; nephew James F. Matheson and nieces Dorina “Dee Dee” Bartlett Coker, Renee Moudry and Kathy Moore; grand nephew Jay Matheson Jr. and grand niece Jannie Matheson Gerds; as well as his dear friend Audrey Austin. Jim was a graduate of Stetson University, School of Law majoring in Constitutional Law. While at Stetson Law School, he was employed as Varsity Football Coach, Assistant Director of Physical Education, and Freshman Football Coach. One of his most proud and relished moments was the Freshman Football Team sole victory over the Florida Gators. In 1952 he authored “The Power of the Treaty Over The Constitution of the United States”. In 1936 Jim was admitted to the Florida Bar Association and in 1937 moved to West Palm Beach to work with the Real Estate Firm of Studstill & Hollenbeck. In 1939 he became a member of the Palm Beach County Bar Association, the American Bar Association, and Associate to District State Attorney, Phil O’Connell Sr. In 1942 he received his orders from the U.S. Navy, Armed Guard Service aboard the SS John S. Fremond and SS Henry C. Costin. He distinguished himself by uncovering a spy/smuggling ring of enemy agents for which he earned a Commendation and the Victory Medal II. In 1948, he transferred to the US Naval Reserve and in 1955 was promoted to Commander, attached to Composite Company, USNR 675. Jim returned to West Palm Beach where he established a very respected Law Practice representing not only major corporations but several non profit organizations. In 1955 he was awarded the Legal Aid Society’s Distinguished Service Award. He was admitted to practice in the U.S. District Court of Appeals in New Orleans and the U.S. Fifth District Court of the Southern District of Florida. He was also a delegate to the American and British Bar Associations in London, attending in 1961 and again in 1971. He was a founder of the Civic Opera of the Palm Beaches, now the Palm Beach Opera serving as President from 1972-1975 and later headed the Men’s Committee. All of his daughters had their “Coming Out” at the Opera’s Debutante Balls. He founded the Palm Beach County American Heart Association, the Young People’s Talent Showcase, the Palm Beach County American Cancer Society Campaign and co-founder of the Gilbert & Sullivan Society. He became a member of Kiwanis International in 1952 and in 1999 was honored with the George R. Hinson Award. He served on the Board of Directors of the Palm Beach Round Table and with his wife co-chaired the Round Table Gala, and the Salvation Army Ball in 1990. He was a member of the Junior Chamber of Commerce, serving as Florida Vice President, and President of the West Palm Beach Chapter. He went on to become Treasurer of the Florida State Chamber of Commerce and was a long time associate member of the Palm Beach Chamber of Commerce. He served on the Board of Directors of the Gulf Stream Council, Boy Scouts of America, becoming a member of their National Heritage Society. He also was a member of the Lake Worth Scottish Rite and a 32nd Degree Mason, supporting the Shriner’s Children’s Hospitals and Burn Clinics. He was a Trustee of the Palm Beach County School System and Palm Beach Atlantic College, on the Board of Palm Beach Academy and advisory board member of Stetson College of Law. The Stetson Lawyers’ Association honored Jim with the Ben C. Willard Award and the Meritorious Service Award. In 1950 he was President of Stetson’s National Alumni Association. With his wife, Ruth Bartlett Nemec, founded the Friends of Stetson and the James and Ruth Nemec Scholarship Fund. Jim and Ruth were inducted into the Stetson Hall of Fame and are memorialized in the Alumni House Bricks as well as having the James and Ruth Nemec Auditorium and the Nemec Residence Hall dedicated in their honor. Jim was an avid member of The Pundits, and the English Speaking Union. He was a “Penguin” of the National League of American Pen Women and a supporter of the Dreyfoos School of the Arts and People to People International. He was also an Honorary Chairman of “Bea and the Bug Extravaganza”. Jim was a supporter of The Lighthouse for the Blind, Disabled Veterans, Paralyzed Veterans, VetsVille, The Mental Health Association, CARP, Challenge International, and The Special Olympics. He served as Honorary Chairman of the Fern House Sports Brunch for the past nine years. A love for travel, he led the James Nemec Expedition down the Amazon at the age of 88. He and his family, in another adventure were caught in the Soviet invasion of Czechoslovakia in the 60’s, yet managed to smuggle out film to show the world the perils of Communism. The last three weeks of his life were spent composing a letter to the Editor of the Palm Beach Post to alert the citizens of the United States to the dangers posed to us by the United Nations International Criminal Court Treaty, which could in time become the supreme law of the land. This was his last effort toward preserving, protecting and defending his beloved United States Constitution. Friends may call at Quattlebaum-Holleman-Burse, 1201 S. Olive Ave., West Palm Beach, on June 7 between 2 and 4 p.m., and 7 and 9 p.m. Funeral Services will be held Saturday, June 8 at 10 a.m., at The First Baptist Church of West Palm Beach, 1101 S. Flagler Dr., West Palm Beach. Graveside services will follow at the Nemec Mausoleum at Woodhaven Cemetery, South Dixie Highway. For those choosing to honor James’ memory, it was his wish donations be sent to the James and Ruth Nemec Scholarship Fund at Stetson University, 421 N. Woodland Blvd., Unit #8279, DeLand, FL. Quattlebaum-Holleman-Burse, Family Owned and Operated. www.Quattlebaum.org
