pLet me tell you of an amazing life. A life that medical experts said shouldn't have happened. A life that ended too soon. At a very early age, Jim was diagnosed with pulmonary valve stenosis, a thickened or fused heart valve that does not fully open. In the early 60's, Dr. Forest Dodrill, a pioneer in cardiac surgery, performed an open heart procedure at Harper Hospital in Detroit to restore functionality to the pulmonary valve of a kid in grade school. Even after the successful procedure, Jim was only given a few years to live. Some 56 years later, Jim became one of the first people in the country to have artificial pulmonary valves implanted aortically in the branches of the pulmonary artery. During the 69 years of a life that wasn't supposed have been, Jim pursued a career in the automotive field, loved old cars, and owned several. The 1960 "hot rod Lincoln", the 1956 Ford pickup that had a tree growing in the pickup bed, the 1947 Ford business coupe, and the 1966 Ford Galaxie were owned and driven by Jim at one time or another. The back yard of his childhood home resembled a scrap yard at times, littered with donor cars used to restore whatever vehicle he had chosen as the current project. He also developed an interest in competitive shooting and started a new collection, this time it was trophies from matches and leagues he became involved with. He wasn't rich, he wasn't a household name. He wasn't flashy or pretentious. Some would say they never heard of him and ask "what did he do". Others would say he was caring and compassionate, friendly and honest. He learned the value of hard work and took pride in his accomplishments. He treated others with courtesy, dignity and respect. He had qualities worth striving for, things that some just don't get. He never married, but he shared his passions with his niece and two nephews. An outing with Uncle Gum usually turned out to be hours of old car shows, swap meets, skeet or target shooting. He was always a part of family events and celebrations, never missing a birthday or holiday if he could help it. He wasn't an athletic person, but that never stopped him from enjoying sporting events that his niece and nephews participated in. He watched his niece play Division 1 soccer in college, he traveled to Georgia to see his nephew graduate from basic training, he was there for his oldest nephew's wedding. His later years were plagued with various illnesses, multiple hospital stays, and a virtual pharmacy of daily medications. Every month seemed to bring a new ailment, or a worsening of an old one. Through it all, he never complained. He lived his life as best as he could, a life which wasn't supposed to have been. He touched the lives of many, and he will be missed. And now he's has started another life, one that was supposed to be. Rest easy brother. pARM, James T/.of Waterford, passed away April 21, 2017 at 69 years of age. Born in Connersville, Indiana the son of the late Anne Vedock; brother of Richard (Gaye) Arm and John (Marlene) Vedock; uncle of Stacy (Drew) Ahlmark, Keith (Kristin) Arm, Stephen (Amandea) Arm and many great nieces and nephews.