James W. Van Valin

Jim Van Valin passed away On Saturday September 28th, 2024. He is preceded in death by his parents Bob and Vivian Van Valin, and his sister Dani Lynn. He is survived by his beloved wife Karen, his two sons Christopher and Steven, as well as brothers Bobby, Tommy and sister Jo Anne.
Jim was a remarkable husband, father, brother, uncle, cousin and friend to many. His childhood was filled with boyhood adventures in the big city with his older brother Tommy. They enjoyed building tree forts, underground forts, exploring the Bronx Zoo and playing Manhunt with friends.
In the 1970s, Jim's family moved to Florida to escape the hustle and bustle of city life. Bob, a retired police officer, wanted to raise his children in the Sunshine State. Unfortunately, shortly after the move, Dani Lynn, Jim's beloved older sister, died of leukemia. This tragic loss instilled in Jim and his siblings a much deeper understanding of family, and more importantly, what it takes to maintain one. Jim's strong will and open heart crystalized the family's efforts to carry that love on to future generations.
After the passing of his parents, Jim stepped up in the family hierarchy. His compassion, wisdom, intolerance for nonsense, problem-solving skills, and ability to connect with others made him a natural leader. He excelled at keeping the family united, fostering growth, and hosting the big Van Valin parties. He made everyone feel loved, valued, and included. He had a remarkable ability to deeply connect with people and find common ground to work toward a shared purpose or goal. For the family, that purpose was togetherness. Whether in the Bronx or in Florida, one thing remained constant; the Van Valin house was never empty. It was the gathering place for family and friends. This spirit of inclusion, togetherness, and love were core values of the home and the Van Valin family.
When Jim met Karen, all enjoyed watching their special love story unfold. There has always been a powerful light in him, but with Karen, it grew even brighter. It was clear that he had found his soulmate, the absolute love of his life. His passing will not break this eternal bond; his love for Karen will transcend heaven and reach out to her daily. Their love story only grew stronger with the birth of their sons, Chris and Steven. Jimmy used to say that Chris, his forever child, was a reminder for all of us to appreciate the little things in life. To laugh at silly things and find joy in moments that most of us take for granted. Steven, the youngest, learned very early to be the "big, little brother." Jim and Karen raised Steven to be understanding, compassionate and caring. They watched Steven grow from an adventurous boy into a successful young man, and often shared how proud they were when they witnessed the level of love, patience and compassion Steven showed towards Chris.
Jim also treated his nephews, nieces, their children, and their spouses as if they were his own, asking questions, offering support and encouraging them to pursue their dreams. Friends were offered the same warm embrace. Many of his friendships were established in high school and endured a lifetime. He loved telling and retelling stories of their shared adventures. While loving his family and friends was a given, so was his desire to help strangers.
Filling the cups of those in need with love and compassion was a common practice for Jim and Karen. His heart always guided them, and it was evident in their actions. With a big heart. unwavering faith and Karen by his side, he prioritized giving back to the community and humbly helping others. This was evident in the outpouring of love and messages shared with the family shortly after his passing.
Jim was a connector and facilitator in business as well. Jim charted a unique and memorable path during his nearly 30 years at Humana. Coming into the organization on the heels of his high school friends Lou Sessa and Tony Carfora, Jim set out to lead and succeed right away. His drive, combined with his personality, vision and voice made it clear to all within earshot that he was destined for great things. The roles and titles escalated quickly, as leaders correctly recognized the influence and respect he commanded, putting him in position to positively impact as many associates as possible. He did so by honing a remarkable ability to listen, absorb, articulate and empower, in virtually any setting. He could lead up or down the chain of command with confidence, while at the same time making every associate feel seen and valued. For Jim, it was always about the people, our people. At any given moment that could mean associates, members or partners. It was his hallmark and gift to so many.
Over time, Jim's approach and guidance became one of the central pillars of a collective and renowned culture that began with his mentor and dear friend Fred Wheeler. These men would go on to establish a foundational mindset and instill a habit of achievement that defined MarketPoint and permeated the organization. They also would be the first to tell anyone who listened that their accomplishments simply reflected the hard work and character of all those who worked for, around, and with them. Perfect Service indeed.
As Jim took the helm of MarketPoint and surrounded himself with leaders who shared his compassion and servant leadership style, the growth and achievements were frequent and numerous. Bucking tradition, there seemed to always be room for another seat at the table. Jim's inclusive approach brought leaders from disparate parts of the organization into the fold and his instincts paid off frequently as he built trust, knowledge and ensured collaboration.
Jim was instrumental in guiding the organization as it sought new avenues to support the communities Humana served and to grow the business. He did so with an unwavering commitment of support to the frontline leaders in the field. He engaged key assets within HR, Training and Compliance to develop and instill tools, resources and methodologies designed not to sell more, but to build character and to care more. Lead from the Front, Situational Leadership and Connecting the Dots were catchy themes, but the goal was always the same; empower the people and give them a track to succeed. If you listen closely, you can hear the echo's; "Do the right thing, in the right way, and for the right reasons".
In closing, Jimmy's legacy is one of love, faith, compassion, togetherness,
forgiveness, and respect, and his impact on this world was profound. We are thankful for the teachings God has shown us through Jimmy. We pray that if Jimmy ever touched your life, you will carry on his legacy of loving
unconditionally and moving through this life with friends and family as one.
In lieu of flowers, please consider a donation to The Red Apple, The Rope Center, or Charley's Rainbow.