Roll Call Tribute

James Arthur Vandaveer 

July 31, 1945 - July 15, 2023 

James Arthur ‘Art’ Vandaveer passed away peacefully with his family by his side in Castle Rock, Colorado on 15 July 2023.

Art was born on 31 July 1945 in Velasco, Texas to James Joseph Vandaveer and Julia Agnes Vandaveer (nee Kelly). He graduated from Brazosport High School in 1964 and later from Texas A&M University in 1968 with a degree in accounting and as a member of the Corps of Cadets before receiving a commission in the United States Marine Corps as a Second Lieutenant. On 21 December 1968, he married the love of his life, Lynne Martyniuk, in Quantico, Virginia. He served in the Vietnam War in 1969 and was awarded the Silver Star and the Purple Heart medals for his actions in combat.

After leaving the Marine Corps in June 1971, Art and Lynne initially relocated to Houston, Texas before moving to the Brazosport area in 1975 where they raised a family and were active, committed servants within the community. Over the span of 45 years, Art worked as accountant and business development officer for various firms, businesses, industries, and banking institutions in Brazoria County before retiring in October 2020. Additionally, he volunteered to serve others as a youth soccer and baseball coach, and as a member of the Knights of Columbus, the Rotary Club, the Brazosport Chamber of Commerce, and Junior Achievement among many others. Art’s continued service to the people and community of Brazosport was recognized by the Brazosport Chamber of Commerce by his election as their Man of the Year in 2013.

A devout Roman Catholic, Art was an altar server at St Mary’s in Freeport as an adolescent and served in various ministries at St. Michael’s Church in Lake Jackson as an adult. After his professional retirement in 2020, Art and Lynne moved to Castle Rock, Colorado to be close to their three adult children and their families. Art’s favorite pastimes were watching his children, and later, his grandchildren, playing sports and performing music, playing catch with the neighborhood kids, spending time with his family, and serving Our Lord. He always said his greatest accomplishments were his devoted marriage of over 54 years to “his Angel,” Lynne, his three adult children, and his seven wonderful grandchildren.

He is survived by his loving wife, Lynne Vandaveer; his brother, Mark Vandaveer, his wife Sandi and family of Wild Peach; his children, Jeff and his wife Ellen (nee Korda) Vandaveer of Colorado Springs, Amy and Douglas Novak of Woodland Park, Colorado, and Michael and Sarah (nee Pisklak) Vandaveer of Castle Rock. Art’s grandchildren are Brady Novak and James, Julia, Jacob, Anna, Madilyn, and Jonathon Vandaveer.

A rosary will take place on Thursday, 3 August at St. Francis of Assisi Catholic Church in Castle Rock, CO at 11:00 am, followed by a funeral mass at 12:00 pm. There will be a lunch afterwards, concluding with a Military Inurnment Ceremony and burial at 3:00 pm at Our Lady of the Visitation Cemetery.

Because Art was such a wonderful servant of the Brazoria County Community, there will also be a Celebration of Life service held on Tuesday, 15 August at St. Michael's Catholic Church in Lake Jackson, TX. A rosary is scheduled for 10:30 am, followed by mass at 11:30 and a celebratory lunch in the church hall.

In lieu of flowers, the family asks donations be made to the Tunnels to Towers Foundation, a non-profit organization Art donated to that is dedicated to serving our nation's heroes: https://t2t.org/donate/. 

IN THE CARE OF
Olinger Andrews Caldwell Gibson Chapel