Vernon James Waterman, fondly known as “Grandpa Jimmy” to his grandchildren, passed away at the age of 75, on December 22, 2020.
In heaven he joins his beloved wife of 46 years, Carolyn Sue. He leaves behind daughter Lisa Waterman of Manteca and his son Mark and daughter-in-law Julia Waterman of Los Angeles. He was blessed with three grandchildren, Bailey, Ben, and Sam. He is survived by his two sisters, Jean Morgan of Corning, California and Betty Cook of Emmett, Idaho.
A man of faith, Jim was an active member of St. Paul’s United Methodist Church. It was there that he wed Sue, his high school sweetheart, and there that they celebrated many of life’s joys and sorrows together. In his retirement, Jim followed in his father’s footsteps and enjoyed singing in the church choir. Prior to that, Jim spent his career as a beloved math teacher at East Union High School, where he also coached girls’ basketball for many years. His daughter Lisa was lucky enough to be a student in her father’s math class. Generous and kind-hearted, Jim loved farming and caring for animals, taking particular pride in growing a vegetable garden every summer and donating the harvest to the food pantry at his church.
Jim loved nature and exploring new places – whether riding on a paddle boat down the Mississippi River or hiking along the red dirt Waimea paths on Kauaii Island. When his family was young, he would take them on trips all over the country in his RV. Once retired, both he and Sue were always planning their next trip with their “RV” families. An avid collector of precious rocks and gemstones, Jim liked to take the path less traveled, following a tip about where a vein of special stone might be found. He and Sue would polish the stones and make beautiful jewelry together. As a member of various local rock clubs, including the Calaveras and Mother Lode Mineral Societies, he enjoyed sharing his enthusiasm for all things lapidary.
A quiet and devoted family man, Jim will be deeply missed by all who knew him.
A celebration of life service will be held at St. Paul’s Church on Friday, January 8, 2021 at 11 a.m. Burial will follow where he will be laid to rest with his wife at Burwood Cemetery. To view the services live, please click on the following links:
The links are: Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/stpauls
manteca/live/
YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCq3fE10WXtMYKTbJxOqQv1A/live
P.L. Fry & Son Funeral Home is honored to serve the Waterman family. An online guestbook and tribute wall where you can leave your memories of Jim Waterman is available at www.plfryandson.com.
Manteca (Calif.) Bulletin
In heaven he joins his beloved wife of 46 years, Carolyn Sue. He leaves behind daughter Lisa Waterman of Manteca and his son Mark and daughter-in-law Julia Waterman of Los Angeles. He was blessed with three grandchildren, Bailey, Ben, and Sam. He is survived by his two sisters, Jean Morgan of Corning, California and Betty Cook of Emmett, Idaho.
A man of faith, Jim was an active member of St. Paul’s United Methodist Church. It was there that he wed Sue, his high school sweetheart, and there that they celebrated many of life’s joys and sorrows together. In his retirement, Jim followed in his father’s footsteps and enjoyed singing in the church choir. Prior to that, Jim spent his career as a beloved math teacher at East Union High School, where he also coached girls’ basketball for many years. His daughter Lisa was lucky enough to be a student in her father’s math class. Generous and kind-hearted, Jim loved farming and caring for animals, taking particular pride in growing a vegetable garden every summer and donating the harvest to the food pantry at his church.
Jim loved nature and exploring new places – whether riding on a paddle boat down the Mississippi River or hiking along the red dirt Waimea paths on Kauaii Island. When his family was young, he would take them on trips all over the country in his RV. Once retired, both he and Sue were always planning their next trip with their “RV” families. An avid collector of precious rocks and gemstones, Jim liked to take the path less traveled, following a tip about where a vein of special stone might be found. He and Sue would polish the stones and make beautiful jewelry together. As a member of various local rock clubs, including the Calaveras and Mother Lode Mineral Societies, he enjoyed sharing his enthusiasm for all things lapidary.
A quiet and devoted family man, Jim will be deeply missed by all who knew him.
A celebration of life service will be held at St. Paul’s Church on Friday, January 8, 2021 at 11 a.m. Burial will follow where he will be laid to rest with his wife at Burwood Cemetery. To view the services live, please click on the following links:
The links are: Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/stpauls
manteca/live/
YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCq3fE10WXtMYKTbJxOqQv1A/live
P.L. Fry & Son Funeral Home is honored to serve the Waterman family. An online guestbook and tribute wall where you can leave your memories of Jim Waterman is available at www.plfryandson.com.
Manteca (Calif.) Bulletin
Tuesday, January 5, 2021
