Friday March, 10 2023

Nature: Indian River Attends Final Tribute to James W. Queen, Sr.

Location:  Wyoming United Methodist Church / Odd Fellows Cemetery

Address:  Camden-Wyoming, DE

On Friday, March 10^th, a cohort from the Indian River Volunteer Fire Company attended the Memorial Services for James W. Queen, Sr. at the Wyoming United Methodist Church in Wyoming, Delaware.

Jim Queen joined the Delaware Volunteer Fire Service in 1972 and served with the following volunteer fire companies in many capacities:

•  Camden-Wyoming (42) Fire Company

  • Life Member

  • President

  • Chief

  • Chief Engineer

  • EMS Captain

• Christiana (3, 6, 12) Fire Company

  • Assistant Chief

• Indian River (80) Volunteer Fire Company

  • Chairman – Truck Acquisition Committee

As illustrated during these Memorial Services, Jim Queen impacted and touched many lives within the Delaware Fire Services and provided emergency medical care to thousands of people over his tenure as an Emergency Medical Technician and EMS Captain in all three Delaware counties.

The Funeral Services were coordinated by the Pippin Funeral Home - https://www.pippinfuneralhome.com/obituary/James-QueenSr

James W. Queen, Sr., (68), died Monday, March 6, 2023 at the Delaware Hospice Center in Milford after suffering a stroke. 

He was born on May 26, 1954 in Cambridge, MD to the late Doris L. and Henry J. Queen, Sr.  In addition to his parents, he was predeceased by his wife, Donna M. Queen, brother, Henry J. Queen, Jr., and sister, Bette Eubanks.

James spent his life serving others as Life Member, Past Chief, and Past President of Camden-Wyoming Fire Company.  Known to many as “Chief” and “Queenie”, he achieved his dream of being a professional firefighter after obtaining his degree in Fire Protection Engineering from Delaware Tech and subsequently worked at many fire companies throughout the State of Delaware.  Always one to put others before himself, he was awarded the Heroic Fireman of the Year award in 1993 by the Delaware Volunteer Firefighter’s Association in honor of his life saving efforts of two individuals who were drowning in Derby Pond.

James most enjoyed being a father and grandfather.  He never missed one of his grandsons’ soccer games traveling across the region to cheer them on and never missed watching the Eagles games with his son and grandchildren.  One of his most favorite experiences was going to the Eagles Superbowl Victory Parade on February 8, 2018 with his children and grandchildren.

James is survived by his daughter, Katie L. Conway and her husband, David Conway of Garnet Valley, PA and his son, James W. Queen, Jr. and his wife, Julie Queen of Wilmington, DE, grandchildren, Gavin and Colin Conway and Jordyn and Jay Queen, mother of his children, Debra G. Benford, and mother-in-law, Betty G. Jennette.

A funeral service will be at 11:00 A.M. Friday, March 10, 2023 at Wyoming United Methodist Church where family and friends may view from 9:00 AM – 11:00 AM. Burial will follow at Odd Fellows Cemetery, Camden, DE.

In lieu of flowers, contributions may be made to the Camden-Wyoming Fire Company, 200 E. Camden-Wyoming Ave., Camden, DE 19934.

The Board Directors, Officers, and Members of the Indian River Volunteer Fire Company again hereby extend our thoughts and prayers to the Queen family during these difficult times.

You may review Jim Queen’s membership profile at

(1) Camden-Wyoming VFC:  https://cwfc41.com/gallery/detail/47492  and https://cwfc41.com/profile/11893

(2) Christiana Fire Company:  https://christianafc.org/gallery/detail/47498

(3) Indian River VFC:  http://irvfc.com/profile.cfm?id=76

Thank you for your service and may you Rest in Peace!