James Collins Abbott

James Collins Abbott, age 95 of Elizabethtown, PA, previously of Myrtle Beach, SC and Coopersburg, PA, went home to his Lord on April 19, 2022.

Jim was born at home in Bethlehem, PA on March 22, 1927, to the late James F. and Ruth A. (Collins) Abbott.  He married Mary Helen Smith on August 21, 1948, and they had 6 children.

Upon graduation from High School, Jim served in the US Navy from 1944 to 1946.  He went on to graduate from Lafayette College and received a Master's Degree from Temple University.  Jim served as an educator for 39 years, 30 of which were with the Southern Lehigh School District as Athletic Director, as well as coaching various sports and a term as Vice Principal.  Jim was a member of Coopersburg Moravian for 30 years, many of those serving as a Trustee.

In 1988, Jim and Mary Helen retired to Myrtle Beach, SC, where he served as an Elder of Trinity Presbyterian Church and later served Beach Church with its media needs until moving to Masonic Villages in Elizabethtown, PA in 2015.  Jim was a 32nd degree Mason with the Saucon Lodge, Coopersburg, PA. Most importantly Jim loved, and he was loved and will be missed by his family.

In addition to his parents, Jim was preceded in death by daughter Gwyn E. Schwartz, son James S. Abbott and brother Eugene C. Abbott.

Surviving family are wife, Mary Helen Abbott, children Ann (George) Weisel, Susan (Miller) Abbott, Nancy (Floyd) Wescott, Mark (Debra) Abbott and Matthew (Paula) Abbott.  Also surviving are grandchildren Wendy Ranney, Jennifer Halverson, Melissa Hughes, Melissa Burgess, Megan Watson, Margaret Vanderford, Kimberly Bills, Joseph Abbott, Mary Whitehead, 18 great grandchildren, one great great grandchild and many nieces and nephews.

A memorial service will be held at a later date in Coopersburg, PA. Burial will take place at the Masonic Village, Sell Chapel, Elizabethtown, PA.

Arrangements have been entrusted to the Miller-Finkenbinder Funeral Home & Crematory, 130 N. Market St., Elizabethtown, PA 17022. Memories and condolences may be shared at www.FinkenbinderFamily.com.

To send flowers to the family or plant a tree in memory of James Collins Abbott, please visit our floral store.