James Carl Varner

After a heroic three year battle with pancreatic cancer, Jim passed away peacefully in the caring hands of his family and those who loved him. Born in Chicago, Illinois. in 1932, Jim’s family later moved to NW Indiana where he lived until graduation from Hammond High in 1950. He went on to proudly serve his country as a member of the 11th Airborne based in Ft. Campbell, Kentucky. After his time in the Army, Jim went on to graduate from the Purdue University School of Pharmacy in 1961 and spent the next 37 years practicing pharmacy in NW Indiana and northern Georgia.

Jim lived in Lansing, Illinois. for eleven years where he was an active member of the community, coaching many of his children’s athletic teams, and serving as the President of the local school board. Jim moved to Georgia in 1976 and lived in Woodstock until the time of his death. Jim was an accomplished Mason, dedicating 59 years of service to the Craft. Jim was a Past Master of Woodstock Lodge #246, last serving as their Chaplain. He was also an active member of the Little River Methodist Church where his greatest joys were teaching Sunday school classes and singing in the chior.

Jim leaves behind his love Glenda (Andis) Varner, four children, (Jim, Appleton, Wisconsin. Angela (Varner) Braner, St. John, IN., Matt, Cedar Lake, IN., and Marc, Cedar Lake, IN., and 3 step-children; Robbin Manter-Ellis , Miami, FL., Jeff Turner, Woodstock, GA., and Kevin Turner, Chicago, IL. He is preceded in death by his daughter Diane. He was also privileged to have ten grandchildren and eight great-grandchildren.

A visitation will be at the Woodstock Funeral Home on Saturday, February 14, 2015 from 2-4pm and 6-8pm. The Masonic service will be Sunday, February 15, 2015 at 2:00pm in the chapel of Woodstock Funeral Home. The funeral service will be Monday, February 16, 2015 at 11:00am at Little River United Methodist Church. Interment with military honors will be Tuesday, February 17, 2015 at 1:00pm at Georgia National Cemetery.