James Edwin Ludlum

James Edwin Ludlum, 82, passed away peacefully on Wednesday, December 29, 2010 at the Virginia Veterans Care Center in Roanoke, Virginia. He was born on March 16, 1928 to the late Ethel Lukens and Frank Medrick Ludlum in Middletown, Orange County, New York. Mr. Ludlum earned his pharmacy degree at Union College in Albany, NY. After college, he served his country as Lieutenant in the United States Air Force. In 1955, he was assigned to the Gadsden, AL Air Force Depot where he met and later married the love of his life, Peggy Jane Breeden, of Glencoe, AL. The proprietor of the Falls Drug Company for 29 years, he was affectionately known as Doc by his countless friends and customers. Doc loved his role as mentor to all and supporter of Boy Scout troops, little league baseball teams, and especially the Falls Drug Tomboys girls softball teams. In addition to his parents, he is preceded in death by his parents-in-law, Allen Millican and Oscar Tillman Breeden, Sr.; his beloved son, James Scott Ludlum; and brother-in-law, James Berthold. He is survived by his wife, Peg; their remaining children, Nancy Nan and Andrew Fishburne Hoback of Salem, VA, and Beth and Joseph Ford Mabey, Jr. of New Orleans, LA; and a sister, Sandra Berthold of Amherst, OH. The family very much appreciates all expressions of sympathy and requests that, in lieu of flowers, consideration be given to either the Special Olympics at 880 South Court Street in Montgomery, AL 36104 or to the March of Dimes at 450 Century Park South Suite 200-B in Birmingham, AL 35226. A graveside service will be held on Monday, January 3, 2011 at 11 a.m. at Crestwood Cemetery in Gadsden, AL. The Rev. Taylor B. Gallman will officiate. A period of visitation will then follow at Collier-Butler Funeral Home until 1 p.m. An additional memorial service will be scheduled for a later date. Out of town arrangements are being handled by Collier-Butler Funeral Home in Gadsden, AL (256-543-2140). Local arrangements are being handled by John M. Oakey & Son Funeral Home in Salem, VA (540-389-5441).