Jim Van Fleet, a friend to many in Sun City and respected community leader, ran out of time on the morning of Jan. 12. Jim devoted the time he was given on this earth and in this place to loving his family, earning the respect of his neighbors and friends, and devoting countless hours to community service. What better way to devote a lifetime? Jim lived a life of giving rather than taking.
On behalf of his family and everyone who knew Jim, including the thousands of Sun City residents he served as a Board member, for the untold number of neighbors he befriended, and the dozens of Club members with whom he shared the joys of life … we all join in saying … thanks to Jim, our friend and mentor.
Jim’s biography did not list him as a teacher, but the legacy of his life made it abundantly clear that that’s where he excelled. He taught us by showing us how to be kind, considerate, interested in the well-being of others. He taught the lessons of family, of civic cooperation, compromise, and how to be unselfish and objective in his deliberations.
The lessons of life that Jim taught were a tribute to him as a uniquely qualified and gifted person. We can all hope to duplicate Jim’s examples while we have the gift of our own remaining time.
Thanks to you, Jim, for lessons taught and lessons learned. May you enjoy eternal peace!
Jim Darow
Sun City
