JONESBORO - James W. "Jim" Varney, age 82, of Jonesboro, Maine, departed this life on June 1, 2024, at Northern Light Eastern Maine Medical Center in Bangor, Maine. Born on February 5, 1942, in Exeter, New Hampshire to Richard H. and Merla (Fenton) Varney, Jim was a man who exemplified the virtues of kindness, quiet strength, and dedication to service and family. On February 18, 1961, he married his childhood sweetheart, Linda F. (Watts) Varney, also of Jonesboro, Maine. They were married for 62 wonderful years.
Jim was a proud veteran, who committed over two decades of his life to the U.S. Marine Corps, serving from 1960 until his honorable discharge in 1982. His military career was marked by duty and courage, with postings that included the 7th Engineer Battalion, 1st Marine Division during the Vietnam War, and heading up the Marine Security Guard for the consulate in Munich, Germany. Numerous other stations included serving with the 1st Marine Air Wing in Japan and Thailand; Camp Lejeune, North Carolina; Oahu, Hawaii; Quantico, Virginia; Parris Island, South Carolina; Biddeford, Maine; and leading cold-weather training in locations including Minnesota, Denmark, and Ireland.
His post-military career was spent as manager of the Guptill's Logging store in East Machias, Maine, where he enjoyed 20 years until his retirement in 2003.
Jim and Linda loved to travel, and on numerous occasions would have friends or family join them on their adventures. For nearly 30 years, Jim always looked forward to going with his family to their timeshare at Orange Lake in Florida. But perhaps the place he most treasured most to get away with his family, his wife, or just by himself was his camp on Nicatous Lake, The Rugged Bear. Many a treasured moment was spent at that lovely spot throughout the years, from renovations to landscaping and cutting down trees, to fishing, boating, playing corn hole, and sitting around the fire.
Throughout his life, Jim found solace and joy in simple pleasures. From the tranquility of his garden, which included vegetables and flowers, to the kitchen where he cooked delicious and creative meals for himself and Linda. Around the house he kept so well, he was a beacon of support for his family and friends. His generous spirit often found him aiding others with household projects and any task that needed doing. Jim's steadfast, quiet reserve, respect, and tender heart were the qualities that his family knew were his extraordinary gifts in his role as father, grandfather, and great-grandfather.
Jim's love of his hometown of Jonesboro, Maine was evident in his dedication to his service on the Board of Selectmen for several years. His involvement in Jonesboro's bicentennial celebrations in 2009 lead to the creation of the Jonesboro Memorial Park on Route 1.
Jim leaves behind a loving family who will deeply miss him: his children, Dennise Varney of Old Orchard Beach, Randy and wife Jeannette Varney of Jonesboro, and Troy Varney and fiancee Brandi Farrington of Bangor; his grandchildren, Bryce and husband Travis Brestelli of Westbrook, CT; Ashley and husband Whitney Stevens of Whiting, Ross McEwen of Auburn, Tyler and wife Keirstin Varney of Marshfield, Jackson Varney of Bangor, and Cameron Varney and girlfriend Alexis Schneiderat of Portland; his great-grandchildren, Kole, Kiana, and Kingsley Stevens, Peyton, Parker, and Paxton Varney, and Charlotte Brestelli; and sister-in-law Jane Smith Varney.
Joining his late wife, Linda, he is preceded in his passing by his parents, Richard and Merla Varney, and brother, Kenneth R. Varney.
A remembrance service will be held at Acadia National Cemetery in Jonesboro, Maine, in the subsequent summer months.
Donations in Jim’s memory may be made to to the Marine Corps League Foundation PO Box 151536 San Diego, CA. 92175 or at https://www.mclfoundation.org/donations
To order memorial trees or send flowers to the family in memory of James Varney, please visit our flower store.
Jim was a proud veteran, who committed over two decades of his life to the U.S. Marine Corps, serving from 1960 until his honorable discharge in 1982. His military career was marked by duty and courage, with postings that included the 7th Engineer Battalion, 1st Marine Division during the Vietnam War, and heading up the Marine Security Guard for the consulate in Munich, Germany. Numerous other stations included serving with the 1st Marine Air Wing in Japan and Thailand; Camp Lejeune, North Carolina; Oahu, Hawaii; Quantico, Virginia; Parris Island, South Carolina; Biddeford, Maine; and leading cold-weather training in locations including Minnesota, Denmark, and Ireland.
His post-military career was spent as manager of the Guptill's Logging store in East Machias, Maine, where he enjoyed 20 years until his retirement in 2003.
Jim and Linda loved to travel, and on numerous occasions would have friends or family join them on their adventures. For nearly 30 years, Jim always looked forward to going with his family to their timeshare at Orange Lake in Florida. But perhaps the place he most treasured most to get away with his family, his wife, or just by himself was his camp on Nicatous Lake, The Rugged Bear. Many a treasured moment was spent at that lovely spot throughout the years, from renovations to landscaping and cutting down trees, to fishing, boating, playing corn hole, and sitting around the fire.
Throughout his life, Jim found solace and joy in simple pleasures. From the tranquility of his garden, which included vegetables and flowers, to the kitchen where he cooked delicious and creative meals for himself and Linda. Around the house he kept so well, he was a beacon of support for his family and friends. His generous spirit often found him aiding others with household projects and any task that needed doing. Jim's steadfast, quiet reserve, respect, and tender heart were the qualities that his family knew were his extraordinary gifts in his role as father, grandfather, and great-grandfather.
Jim's love of his hometown of Jonesboro, Maine was evident in his dedication to his service on the Board of Selectmen for several years. His involvement in Jonesboro's bicentennial celebrations in 2009 lead to the creation of the Jonesboro Memorial Park on Route 1.
Jim leaves behind a loving family who will deeply miss him: his children, Dennise Varney of Old Orchard Beach, Randy and wife Jeannette Varney of Jonesboro, and Troy Varney and fiancee Brandi Farrington of Bangor; his grandchildren, Bryce and husband Travis Brestelli of Westbrook, CT; Ashley and husband Whitney Stevens of Whiting, Ross McEwen of Auburn, Tyler and wife Keirstin Varney of Marshfield, Jackson Varney of Bangor, and Cameron Varney and girlfriend Alexis Schneiderat of Portland; his great-grandchildren, Kole, Kiana, and Kingsley Stevens, Peyton, Parker, and Paxton Varney, and Charlotte Brestelli; and sister-in-law Jane Smith Varney.
Joining his late wife, Linda, he is preceded in his passing by his parents, Richard and Merla Varney, and brother, Kenneth R. Varney.
A remembrance service will be held at Acadia National Cemetery in Jonesboro, Maine, in the subsequent summer months.
Donations in Jim’s memory may be made to to the Marine Corps League Foundation PO Box 151536 San Diego, CA. 92175 or at https://www.mclfoundation.org/donations
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