Obituary for
Earl James Dexter, Jr.
Earl James Dexter, Jr., better known as Jim, was born on March 11, 1941 in East Jordan, Michigan to the late Earl James Dexter, Sr. and the late Dolores Helen Schumaker. The youngest of two children, he had one sister, the late Judy Haney. He completed his high school and college education in Michigan to eventually obtain a degree in Nuclear Engineering.
Jim worked as a Nuclear Engineer with Calvert Cliffs Nuclear Plant for many years until he retired in 2000. Jim also served his community as a Planning & Zoning Commissioner for St. Mary’s County, Maryland from 1995-1998. In his retirement he did not rest, taking on various construction projects to eventually build the family home combined with a bed and breakfast, the Victorian Candle in Hollywood, MD in 2003.
Jim met his wife, Susan, in 1995 while “trying to save a penny,” as he would always say. They wed in Tennessee in 1996 and celebrated their union surrounded by family and friends in 1997 in Indian Head, Maryland and resided in Hollywood, Maryland. Jim and Susan had children from previous marriages and one child together to build a family unit of ten beautiful sons and daughters. Jim had a large family and was a devout family man who always put his family first in everything he did. He served the Catholic church proudly and was a member of the Fourth Degree of the Knights of Columbus.
Doing what he loves to do most, spending time with his family, Jim was called to rest peacefully at his home in Hollywood, Maryland at the age of 80 on Saturday, September 4, 2021, in the hands of his lovely wife, Susan. Jim touched the lives of many as a devoted and loving husband, father, step-father, father-in law, grandfather, great-grandfather, son, brother, uncle, cousin, and friend to many. He leaves to cherish his memory his wife Susan; children Laura Guetschoff, Paul Dexter, Karina Phillips, David Dexter (Val), and Annie (Patrick); step-children Fatmata Koroma-Bangura (Ben), James Koroma (Ebony), Lamrana Koroma, Emile Koroma (Gabby), and Leon Koroma; grandchildren Ashley, Kaneesha, Sarah, Eric, Kyle, Rylee, Lauren, Zachary, Cameron, Claire, Willow, Naomi, Hazel, King, and Ayona; great grandchildren Olivia and Eli; nieces/nephews, Joe Haney, Alice Haney, Betty Murphy, Sue Collins, Patty Sapak, and Paul Haney; his dear friend Mr. Ralph Moran, and a host of other relatives and friends that will miss him dearly.
The family will receive friends on Friday, September 17, 2021 from 5:00 PM to 8:00 PM in the Mattingley-Gardiner Funeral Home, Leonardtown, MD, with prayers recited at 7:00 PM. A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated on Saturday, September 18, 2021 at 11:00 AM at St. John’s Catholic Church, Hollywood, MD with Father Ray Schmidt officiating. Interment will follow in Charles Memorial Gardens, Leonardtown, MD. Serving as pallbearers will be; Patrick Hudson, Emile Koroma, David Dexter, Kyle Dexter, James Koroma, and Ibrahim Kamara.
Condolences may be made to the family at www.mgfh.com. Arrangements provided by the Mattingley-Gardiner Funeral Home, P.A. & Crematory, Leonardtown, MD.
Order Flowers
