James (Jimmy) P. Vaux of Waupaca, age 82, passed away on Monday, June 12, 2017 at the Wisconsin Veterans Home in King, WI.
He was born in Chicago, IL on June 21, 1934 to the late James J. and Catherine (Paul) Vaux. He attended Sunny View Grade School (a one room schoolhouse) and graduated from Waupaca High School. A wholesome farm life and being a member of the Sunny View 4-H Club gave him an opportunity to exhibit his prize-winning Guernsey cow at the Waupaca County Fair.
Jimmy was a veteran of the U.S. Marine Corps serving during the Korean conflict. He lived in Chicago for a time and worked as a copy boy at the Chicago Tribune, and enjoyed relating stories of sport and entertainment celebrities who frequented the Tribune in the 1950s. He returned to Waupaca and worked with his father on the Vaux Auto Body Shop business, and when time allowed the two would fish on Shadow Lake and the Wolf River. In his later years, Jimmy shared a home with his mother providing companionship as well as responsibilities of the home and garden. He became a member of the Wisconsin Veterans Home on March 24, 2005. Jimmy enjoyed science fiction and movie classics from the 1940’s, and had a deep appreciation of all things in nature.
He is survived by his sister, Patricia Vaux; two nieces, Gretchen Halverson and Jennifer (Halverson) Reimann; three great-nieces, Danielle Halverson, Alex Murphy, and Samantha Reimann; one great-nephew, Jacob Reimann; and two great-great-nephews and a great-great-niece.
A Private Family Military Graveside Service was held on Monday, June 19, 2017 at the Central WI Veterans Memorial Cemetery in King, WI. Sister Martha Mafurutu officiated. The Holly Funeral Home of Waupaca is assisting the family with arrangements.