James D. Towle

CHICHESTER- James D. Towle, 84, passed away on January 14, 2022.

He was born February 5, 1937 in Concord, NH, the son of the late Edgar K. and Dorothy (French) Towle. He was the 12th generation in New England on the French side and the 10th generation in New Hampshire on the Towle side.

Jim attended local schools. While attending Concord High he became a member of the NHNG-197th AAA. After high school graduation he rode his 1949 Norton motorcycle to California. He applied for a job at a 500 acre horse ranch and when the owner found out he was from NH and really knew how to work, he hired him on as the manager of the ranch. Jim became bored with California, joined the US Air Force, trained at Lackland Air Force base in Texas, was stationed at Otis Air Force Base on Cape Cod, then was sent to Karamursel, Turkey with the USAF Security Service. He finished out his twelve years of service to his country in the 157th Air National Guard at Pease Air Force Base as a Chaplain’s assistant.

As a civilian, Jim went to meat cutting school in Toledo, Ohio- returned home and soon became the proprietor of Towle’s Market in Concord. Jim and his family moved from Pembroke to Chichester in 1965. After many years, the store was sold. He used his selling ability as an insurance salesman, then a car salesman. In 1992, he became an ordained minister and started his motorcycle ministry as a street evangelist throughout the U.S. He also was a religious volunteer at the prison and jail, everyone called him Chaplain Jim. For 35 years he held a Bible study in his home and in his later years, the bible study became the “Heritage Bible Church”, meeting in his home. He started the first chapter of the Christian Motorcycle Association in NH--was a member of the Appalachian Mountain Club, a member of its 4000 footer club, and also a life endowment member of the NRA.

Members of his family include his wife of 64 years, Gail (Hoadley) Towle, one son, Bradley and his wife, Susan; two daughters, Kendra Holden and husband, Robert and Kathryn Valley and husband, Douglas; seven grandchildren, Joshua, James, Ashley, Melissa, Brandon, Jacob, and Rivkah; twelve great grandchildren, and one brother, Robert.  Jim was predeceased by his brother, Vernon, and two sisters, Barbara Preve and Carolyn Pedeare.

A Memorial Service will be held on Thursday, January 20th at 10 A.M. in the Still Oaks Funeral & Memorial Home 1217 Suncook Valley Highway in Epsom.  Burial will be private at a later date. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to Teen Challenge of New England, 1311 Main St. Brockton, MA 02301.  To share a memory or offer a condolence, please visit www.stilloaks.com

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