SCHUYLER LAKE James Arnold Hext, age 74, passed away peacefully on Thursday morning, March 16, 2017 at Bassett Medical Center, Cooperstown, with his loving family by his side. He was born on December 4, 1942 in Cooperstown, son of the late Gerald and Florence Price Hext. A lifelong area resident he was a graduate of Richfield Springs High School. A US Navy honorably discharged veteran, he proudly served his country during the Vietnam War. For many years he worked as a Correctional Officer with Mid-State Correctional Facility in Marcy, retiring in 2007. James had a strong faith in God and was a member of the Schuyler Lake United Methodist Church. In his leisure time he enjoyed photography, coin and book collecting, listening to all kinds of music, playing bingo and going to garage sales. To all who knew him he was a down to earth man who loved his family, especially his cherished grandchildren and great grandchildren. He will be sorely missed. Surviving are longtime companion Delores Baker, three sons, James Hext and Valerie Weingart of Caroga Lake, Mitchell and Kimberly Hext of St. Johnsville, Gregory Hext of Schuyler Lake, two daughters, Kristen Hext and Luke Bailey of Richfield Springs, Stacey Lindgren of Phoenix, AZ two brothers Gerald and Sharon Hext of Maine, Greg and Marilyn Hext of Richfield Springs, four sisters, Sue Winne of Schuyler Lake, Penny and Ed Vandenburg of Myrtle Beach, SC, Florence and Richard Thompson of El Paso, TX, Starr Madaras of Schuyler Lake, seven grandchildren, Kasie, Anthony, Shawn, Jessica, Jerikah, Levi, and Kayla, three great-grandchildren, Jaxon, Riley and Carter, several nieces, nephews and cousins. Funeral Service will take place at a later time convenient to the family. Funeral arrangements are with J. Seaton McGrath Funeral Home, Richfield Springs. Private Service