James A. Messick, age 71, of Salisbury, died Sunday, January 21, 2007 at Salisbury Nursing and Rehabilitation Center. He was born February 28, 1935 in Philadelphia, PA, a son of the late Edmund P. Messick and Irma L. Brittingham Messick. Jim proudly served his country in the US Air Force from 1957 to 1961. He worked using his love for flowers and plants at Benedict's Florist in Salisbury as a floral arranger, then took a position at Peninsula Regional Medical Center as a Clerk in Medical Records. He was one of the last remaining members of the Old School Baptist Church in Salisbury when the church closed. He was also a member of the Friendship Network in Salisbury. He will be remembered and missed by all who knew him as a kind, gentle and thoughtful man. He is survived by 2 brothers, Robert J. Messick, Sr. and his wife Dorleen of Bridgeville and Donald H. Messick and his wife Brenda of Delmar; 2 nieces, Robin Breasure and Colleen Kirby, both of Delmar; and a nephew, Robert Messick, Jr. of Delmar. In addition to his parents, two brothers, Howard T. Messick and Edmund P. Messick, Jr, preceded him in death. A funeral service will be held on Wednesday, January 24, 2007 at 12:00 p.m. at Short Funeral Home, 13 E. Grove Street, Delmar, where family and friends may call from 11:00 to 12:00. Interment will follow the services at Smith Mills Cemetery in Delmar. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made in his memory to: Smith Mills Cemetery Fund, c/o David Brumbley, 534 N. Phillips Street, Seaford, DE 19973. Online condolences may be sent to the family by visiting www.shortfh.com .