James William "Jim" VanArnam

James (Jim) William VanArnam passed away on Sunday, October 13, 2024 in Frederick, Maryland. Jim was born on January 31, 1943 in Schenectady, New York to the late Ralph and Marion VanArnam. He is preceded in death by his older brother, Ralph. Jim was a 1965 graduate of Clarkson University in Potsdam, New York. After college, he worked for General Electric in King of Prussia, PA. where he met his future wife, Dorothea Ann Sessa. Jim and Dottie were married in 1967 and moved to Dayton, Ohio where Jim served in The United States Air Force for 2 years. Jim then worked for the next 40 years as a purchasing agent for Newport News shipbuilding, Moulinex, and Maersk before retiring in 2008. Jim and Dottie resided in Virginia Beach, Virginia for over 45 years. Dottie passed away in 2021 from cancer. Jim is survived by his daughter, Marion Martin (Robert) and three grandsons Ryan, Adam and Eric Martin of Frederick, Maryland and his son, Jeffrey VanArnam (Jennifer) of Richmond, Virginia and granddaughters Kaya VanArnam, Mayzie Thomas-Garber and Bella Thomas-Garber. Though he loved nothing more than his church, his family and his country, we will always remember his fondness for some of the finer things in life, such as a stroll with his wife on the boardwalk in Virginia Beach or through his favorite store, Wal-Mart, a love of classic American muscle cars, The Rolling Stones, and an ice cold Budweiser on a sunny day. Friends and family are invited to attend a memorial service on Saturday, October 26th at 11 am at Foundry United Methodist Church in Virginia Beach, Virginia. A private family burial service will be held in Norristown, Pennsylvania at a later date. In Lieu of flowers, donations can be made in Jim's memory to either The Tunnels to Towers Foundation or The Wounded Warrior Project.