Obituary of James W Cousins

James William (Jimmy) Cousins, 57, of Asbury, New Jersey, a proud veteran of the US Army passed away on January 27, 2024.

Jimmy was born in Greensboro, North Carolina to Thomas and Bessie Cousins on December 24, 1966. He graduated from North Hunterdon High School in 1985 before enlisting in the US Army in October of 1985 and was stationed at Fort Bragg, NC.  As an active-duty Army Paratrooper he saw action in Honduras during Operation Golden Pheasant which was an emergency deployment of US troops to Honduras in 1988, in response to Nicaraguan attacks on Contra logistics in Honduras. He was awarded the Military Parachutist Badge from the Honduran Armed Forces.

The US Army recognized Jimmy for his honorable service with an Army Service Ribbon, M-16 Expert Badge, Hand Grenade Expert Badge, Parachute Badge and Expert Infantry Badge.  Jimmy was also awarded the Army Achievement Medal for distinguishing himself by meritorious achievement on September 14, 1986 while assigned to Bravo Company, 2d Battalion, 504th Parachute Infantry Regiment, 82d Airborne Division for his superb performance of duty when the vehicle that he was a passenger in went off the road.  Disregarding his own injuries, Jimmy attended to others that were injured and then ran approximately five miles for help.  He received the Multinational Force & Observers Medal for participation in a peace keeping mission in the Israel Egypt Sinai Peninsula. 

After honorably serving his country, Jimmy went on to study Diesel Technology and graduated from the Somerset County Technical Institute in 1991.  He worked as an Operating Engineer for the International Union of Operating Engineers Local 825 for more than twenty years. 

In 1999 Jimmy married the love of his life, Brenda and together in 2008 they welcomed the joy of their hearts, their daughter Morgan.  

He loved spending time and going on family adventures with his wife Brenda and daughter Morgan. Jimmy enjoyed gardening, building birdhouses, making homemade pickles, long car rides, rock climbing, hiking, the beach, mountain biking, kayaking, playing lacrosse, listening to heavy metal music, playing with radio-controlled cars, WWII and military history, skateboarding down the Studer Road hill, dirt bike and BMX bike riding, hanging out at the Daz-O-Del, having dinner at the Kugleman’s house, and spending time with his friends.

Jimmy is survived by his devoted loving wife Brenda and his very creative, loving daughter Morgan Elizabeth. His siblings, Carol Cousins-Tyler, Donna Farlow, Sue Ann Cousins, Kathy D. Cousins, Thomas V. M. Cousins, Amy Cells and his 26 nieces and nephews.  He was predeceased by his parents Thomas and Bessie Cousins.  

A Celebration of Life to honor Jimmy will be planned for the Spring.  Details will be posted.