It is with profound sadness that we announce the passing of James Henry Van Ornum, who departed this life on Oct. 16, 2026, at the age of 85.
Born Dec. 21, 1940, in Rome, New York, James was the beloved son of Paul and Irene Van Ornum. His life was marked by devotion to family, faith and community.
James shared a beautiful life with his wife, Colette, whom he married on May 28, 1960. Together they celebrated 66 years of a wonderful and loving marriage, nurturing a close-knit family and creating countless memories.
James was a devoted father to his surviving children, Andrew, Amy and Brian, and his brother, David; he was predeceased by his son, Steven.
James was an avid learner, and he earned a Ph.D. in electrical engineering and taught computer engineering at Arizona State University. Most of his career was at Bell Laboratories in Holmdel, New Jersey.
A man of varied interests and passion, James was a member of the United Methodist Church, where he shared his deep faith and wisdom by teaching numerous Sunday school classes to children and adults. He served on many committees. His commitment to serve extended to the Boy Scouts of America, where he earned the rank of Eagle Scout and later served as a scoutmaster, guiding many young lives with his leadership and kindness.
James was also a passionate ham radio operator, spending countless hours communicating and bonding with his fellow operators.
A memorial service to honor James' life will be held at 11 a.m. Nov. 14, 2026, at the Chehalis United Methodist Church. Family, friends and all who were touched by James are warmly invited to celebrate his life and legacy.
James Van Ornum will be remembered for his unwavering love of family, his dedication to faith and service to the community. His legacy of kindness and compassion will continue to inspire all who knew him.
Those wishing to honor the memory of James Henry Van Ornum may make a charitable contribution to any of the following organizations:
American Cancer Society - https://www.cancer.org/
Chehalis United Methodist Church - https://www.chehalisumc.org/
Scouting America - https://www.scouting.org/about/research/eagle-scouts/
