James Vande Voort

James G. Vande Voort - “Big Jim” - Darboy - Our hero and leader, James G. Vande Voort,  “Big Jim,” age 78, passed away peacefully on June 15, 2024. He was born in Appleton to the late Norb and Marian (Van Cuyk) Vande Voort. On May 27, 1967, he was united in marriage to the love of his life, Cheryl (Sheri) Sarrasin. Jim proudly served with the US Navy for 24 years. He retired from Kimberly Clark in 2001 to become a full-time Grandpa to Kaitlyn and Nicole. During this time, he spent countless hours doing the “Grandpa Taxi,” homework and taking them to “night school.” Grandpa Jim loved attending Kaitlyn and Nicole’s sporting events. He never missed a golf match, volleyball, basketball or soccer game whether home or away. He took many trips on his Harley back to Roberts Lake to retrieve the one forgotten stuffed animal that could not be lived without. Jim enjoyed riding his Harley, spending time at Roberts Lake, golfing, playing cribbage and sheepshead. He enjoyed old war and western movies which he watched at least 100 times. One of his favorite phrases was, “and all that happy horse shit.” Jim is survived by his wife of 57 years: Sheri; his daughter: Missy (Kevin) Plutz and their children: Kaitlyn (significant other Luke Vanden Elzen) and Nicole; his sister: Sandy De Young and her children: Traci (Stephan) Kohler and Scott (Carol) De Young; his daughters-in-law: Jennifer Vande Voort x 2. He is also survived by his two sisters-in-law: Suzie Ziepke and Cindy Knudsen. He is further survived by many nieces, nephews, cousins, other relatives and friends, especially Jim and Joy Lewis and Tom and Barb Schiedermayer. In addition to his parents, Jim is preceded in death by his son: Bill; brothers-in-law: Michael De Young and Julian Bezpalko; father and mother-in-law: Irish and Sten Sarrasin; and other extended family members. A funeral service for Jim was held June 20 at Verkuilen-Van Deurzen Family Funeral Home, Kaukauna. To leave an online condolence, please visit www.verkuilenfh.com. The family would like to extend a sincere thank you to ThedaClark Hospice, especially Nurse Angie and Social Worker Erika, along with the staff at Cherry Meadows for their love, care and support.

Verkuilen-Van Deurzen Family Funeral Home, 2401 Fieldcrest Dr., Kaukauna, WI 920-788-3321, www.verkuilenfh.com