James Edward Vaeth Jr.

WATKINS- James Edward Vaeth Jr., 89, of the Watkins Community, passed away peacefully at home on March 12, surrounded by his loving family. Born on July 5, 1935, in Baltimore, Maryland, to Marjorie and James Vaeth Sr., Jim lived a full and vibrant life. Jim was educated in the Catholic tradition, graduating from Mount St. Josephs High School in Baltimore, Maryland in 1953 and from Loyola College in Baltimore, Maryland in 1958 with a degree in Political Science and a minor in Philosophy. In high school and college Jim ran track, and his specialty was the 220 low hurdles and mile relay where he ran third leg. He also excelled as a lacrosse player during his college years.
Following graduation, he joined the Military Police Corps Basic Training Program at Fort Gordon, Georgia, before serving in the National Guard. He rose to the rank of Captain and was honorably discharged in 1966. Jim dedicated 43 years to a distinguished career in human resources, working for various companies in roles that included employee benefits, training, labor relations, recruiting, and safety. He retired in 2002.
In 1959, Jim married his first wife, Helene, and together they raised five children in Maplewood, New Jersey. Helene passed away unexpectedly in 2002. In 2005, Jim relocated to Henderson, where he met and married his second wife, Barbara. They shared a joyful life on their farm, where Jim embraced his passions for raising animals, gardening, hunting, fishing, and driving his John Deere tractor.
Jim was an avid reader of Civil War and World War II history. He enjoyed listening to radio talk shows and he loved his country.
Jim is survived by his wife, Barbara; his children, Anne R. Dugan (James), Mary E. Hanson (Edward), Robert M. Vaeth, E. Courtney Kapral (Mark), and Hilary D. Murray; Barbara's children, James A. Lewis Jr. (Wendy), Julianne M. Haney (Jim), Jacqueline S. Maloney (Terry), T. Jonathan Lewis (Yvonne), and Brett R. Lewis; and his sister Ann Maria Augustine. Grandchildren; Caroline Hanson, Catherine Murray, J. Reilly Dugan, Sophia Hanson, Julia Murray, C. Kirby Dugan, Aubrey Kapral, Julianne Miller (Dan), James Haney Jr. (Jamie), Katherine Leugers, Paul Haney, Brietney Sierzant (Charlie), James Lewis III (Amanda), Paul Lewis (Ashley), Thomas Maloney (Heather), Barbara Riccardi (Michael), Daniel Maloney (Lyndsey), Austin Lewis, Anna Lewis, and Abby Lewis, 18 cherished great- grandchildren.
In addition to his parents and first wife, Helene, Jim was preceded in death by his brother, Robert M. Vaeth.
A visitation will be held at 1755 Horseshoe Bend Rd, Henderson NC from 1:00 to 4:00 PM on Sunday March 16. A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated at St. James Catholic Church on Monday March 17 at 11:00 AM, followed by interment.
Memorials may be made to St. James Catholic Church, 3275 US-158 BYP, Henderson, NC 27537 or to Watkins Community Volunteer Fire Department, 1590 Horseshoe Bend Rd, Henderson, NC 27537.