James Vardeman

Lt. Col. James Alexander (Alex) Vardeman

SHREVEPORT, LA - Lt. Col. James Alexander (Alex) Vardeman (U.S. Army, retired), 86, was born on Nov. 10, 1927, in Monroe, LA, and went home to be with his Lord on Saturday, July 5, 2014, in Shreveport, LA. The family will receive friends at Rose-Neath Funeral Home, 1815 Marshall Street, Shreveport, LA 71101 on Monday, July 7, 2014 from 5 to 7 p.m. Funeral services will be Tuesday, July 8, 2014 at Lakeview United Methodist Church, 5550 S. Lakeshore Dr., Shreveport, LA 71119 at 10 a.m. Officiating will be Rev. Dr. M. Theresa McConnell. Interment will follow at Memorial Gardens North Cemetery, Blanchard, LA.

Alex attended Lakeview United Methodist Church where he was a member of the Circle of Friends Sunday School Class.

He proudly served his country in the Army and was a World War II veteran who served in Japan, Korea, Vietnam and Europe. He entered the military in 1945, and, after serving, continued his education at Louisiana Tech University in Ruston where he earned a Bachelor of Science Degree in Mechanical Engineering. He was recalled by the Army in 1950 and was sent to Korea. He retired in 1969 from military service. Alex then obtained a Master's Degree in Education from Centenary College of Louisiana. He taught physics, electronics and math at Green Oaks High School and retired from teaching in 1988.

He was preceded in death by his parents, Alex and Dollie Sharp Vardeman, and sister, Jemmie Oakes. Alex is survived by his wife of 66 years, Mary "Bitsy" Humble Vardeman, and his brother Paul Vardeman and wife, Joyce, of Bossier City, LA. He also will be greatly missed by his three children, Beth James of Chico, CA, Rob Vardeman and wife, Rhonda, of Tulsa, OK, and Amy Lawler and husband, Ken, of Shreveport, LA. Alex was a loving "Papa" to his grandchildren, Emmy, Jake, Joey, Mary Lou, Eric and Kurt and his three great-granddaughters, Rowan, Brittain and Bryn. He leaves numerous nieces, nephews and many other family and friends who will miss his wit, sense of humor, excellent cooking skills and great story-telling.

Honoring Alex as pallbearers will be his four grandsons, Jake and Joey Lawler, Eric and Kurt Vardeman, Farrel Verbois and Larry Humble.

The family would like to thank Dr. Alan Borne, Dr. Robert Holladay and Dr. William Haynie, the staff at Christus Highland Hospital, the staff at the Glen and St. Joseph's Hospice for their loving care.

The family suggests memorials be made to Lakeview United Methodist Church, 5550 S. Lakeshore Dr., Shreveport, LA 71119, Salvation Army, 147 E. Stoner Ave., Shreveport, 71101 or Providence House, 814 Cotton St., Shreveport, LA 71101.