James Albert Varon was born Feb. 13, 1944 in Seattle to Benjamin A. and Evelyn Hagstrom Varon. He passed from this life on May 16, 2008 in Chandler, Ariz. after a valiant two-year battle with leukemia.

He retired to Chandler in 2005 to pursue his love of golf. Jim was raised in Seattle and spent many happy times during childhood at the Hagstrom family farm on Swede Hill Road, Whidbey Island.

He graduated from Roosevelt High School in 1962 and from the University of Washington in 1966. After college, Jim served his country as an officer in the Signal Corps in Vietnam.

He earned his juris doctorate degree at Lewis and Clark Law School, Portland, Ore., in 1975 and worked as a corporate attorney for GTE directories for

26 years and Valley Yellow Pages, Fresno, Calif., for eight years.

In addition, he was involved in the community in numerous ways including judge pro-tem in small claims court for seven years, one year as president of the Fresno Better Business Bureau and most recently became a Stephen Minister at Sun Lakes Methodist Church in Chandler. Jim was an active member of the American Legion.

Jim is survived by Stephanie, his wife of 38 years; daughter Amie K. Ludwig, son-in-law Lance Ludwig, granddaughter Elise Sydney Ludwig of Dallas, Texas; daughters Megan M. Varon of Chandler and Kristin M. Varon of Tempe, Ariz., as well as many surviving family members in the Seattle area. Jim was greatly loved and respected by all who knew him and will be sadly missed by all.

A memorial celebrating his life will be held at 11 a.m. on June 21 at St. Peter’s Lutheran Church, 6309 Wilson Place, Clinton.

In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society.