James C. Van Voorhis, age 97, passed away peacefully on April 21, 2022.
Born on July 5, 1924 in Elizabeth, New Jersey. James is survived by his daughters: Margaret and husband James Bradford, Virginia and husband William Alger, Maryann and husband Terrell Cryer; and his son: James G. Van Voorhis and wife Leticia; 7 grandchildren and 11 great grandchildren. He was preceded in death by his beloved wife Mary.
In 1931, during the depression, relatives convinced the family to move to the San Fernando Valley. Their family of four traveled across the country in a 1930 Chrysler for a better life in California.
James graduated in 1943 from Van Nuys High School. At the age of 18, he enlisted in the Army Air Corps Aviation Cadet program. He was first sent to Kearns, Utah for basic, then to St. Cloud, MN where he studied Math and Physics and then to Santa Ana, CA where he was accepted into the pilot program. James attended Tex Rankins Flying Academy in Tulare, CA where he flew the PT-17 Stearman Biplane. Next, he went to Gardner Field in Taft, CA and flew the BT-13 Vultee for instrument and night flying training. Advanced fight school was at Luke Field, AZ flying the AT-6. James was then stationed at Mather Field Sacramento, CA for twin engine training in the B-25 Mitchells. Then, he was stationed at Hammer Field Fresno, CA for P-61 Night Fighter Training. His last training was done in Oklahoma flying P-38 for photo Re-Con training.
In April 1945, he deployed to Europe to become a pilot with the 417th Night Fighter Squadron in France. Their night missions were German truck convoys and trains to disrupt German supply lines. From France, their squadron took over air bases in Kassel and Schweinfurt, Germany. At the war’s end, he was sent to Pinecastle, FL, where he had memorable flying experiences in the P-51 Mustangs. He was honorably discharged in Feb. 1947. He stayed active in the U.S.A.F. reserves until April 1957. God Bless the 417th NFS.
After being honorably discharged from the service, he returned to Van Nuys where he attended community college, met and married Mary Sexton who had moved from upstate New York after graduating from nursing school. He continued his education at Santa Barbara City College. Returned to the San Fernando Valley to become a Drafting Teacher at Los Angeles Unified School District. Attended USC where he received a Master’s in architecture. After receiving his degree, James became a professor of architecture at Pierce College where he remained until 1988, at which time he retired from teaching. While teaching full time, James maintained an architectural firm, Van Voorhis and Associates, where he could express his artistic talents designing commercial and residential projects until 2011. James loved people and over the years touched many people’s lives as an educator, mentor, and friend. He continued working into his early 90’s.
James moved to Ventura in 2009, found a beautiful house and neighborhood to live out his retirement years. Thanks to all of his great neighbors and his buddies at Simone’s Coffee Shop, he had a wonderful retirement. Thank you everyone for touching his life. A special thank you to his childhood friend Mr. Rod Rodriguez from Granada Hills, CA. and Dolly Kennedy from Phoenix AZ for being a special friend.
Funeral services will be held on Tuesday, May 3, 2022 at 10:00am at Sacred Heart Church in Ventura, 10800 Henderson Road, Ventura, CA.
Cemetery service to be held at Oakwood Chatsworth Cemetery at a later date.
In lieu of flowers, please donate to a charity of your chose.
Arrangements are under the direction of the JOSEPH P. REARDON FUNERAL HOME & CREMATION SERVICE, Ventura.