James Michael Eastham, Sr., 65, of Front Royal, VA, passed away on Friday, November 17 at home surrounded by family after a valiant fight with pancreatic cancer.
Jim was born and raised in Front Royal, the son of Dr. Edwin and Mrs. Alene Eastham. He attended Warren County schools, graduated from Woodberry Forest School, Washington and Lee University, and the Virginia School of Bank Management at the University of Virginia with honors.
After college, Jim returned to Front Royal where he became an avid member of the fine arts community. While rehearsing his role as Buffalo Bill in the Front Royal Little Theater’s production of Annie Get Your Gun he met the love of his life, Denise, to whom he was devoted for over 40 years together and 38 years of marriage.
In addition to the 35+ years he dedicated to his career in banking and financial management, his life exemplified the Rotarian motto of Service Above Self, serving two terms as Mayor of Front Royal, President of the Rotary Club of Front Royal, and Chairman of the Warren Memorial Hospital Board of Trustees, as well as serving on the Front Royal Planning Commission, the Front Royal Chamber of Commerce, the Economic Development Authority, the Chamber of Commerce Foundation, and the Warren County Educational Endowment.
His devotion to the town was recognized by the community, which awarded him the Blue Ridge Arts Council 2005 Arts Citizen of the Year and the 2008 Front Royal-Warren County Chamber of Commerce Citizen of the Year. In 2017, in recognition of superior achievement, dedication and leadership, he was awarded the Robert E.L. “Bob” Miller Community Service Award by the Rotary Club of Front Royal.
He loved his hometown and continually worked towards its beautification, participating in the design of the town gazebo and the establishment of the greenway trail and Eastham Park that overlooks the Shenandoah River.
Jim’s legacy continues to shine through his surviving wife, Denise and their children Laura E. Simson of Raleigh, NC and James M. Eastham, Jr. of Williamsburg, VA, and grandchildren George M. Simson II and Dabney J. Simson of Raleigh.
He is survived by his brother Edwin M. Eastham III of Huntly, VA, sister Linda E. Adamson of Front Royal, and sister Lindsay E. Kielley of Bernardsville, NJ.
Jim was a long-time member of Calvary Episcopal Church of Front Royal, serving on numerous committees at the church over the years and singing in the church choir. A funeral will be held at 12:00 p.m. on Saturday, December 2, at Calvary Episcopal Church with the Reverend Jane Piver officiating. Honorary pallbearers are the Druid Hill Bocce Club.
The family will receive friends Friday, December 1, 2017 from 6 to 8 Pm at the Calvary Episcopal Church parish hall.
In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made in Mr. Eastham’s name to the Blue Ridge Arts Council, the Warren County Education Endowment or the Warren Memorial Hospital Foundation.
Mr. Eastham is proof the good die young. What an impact he made on this earth, doing more each decade than most people do in a lifetime.
He also proved a worthy match for the lovely, in all meanings of the term, Denise.
May his memory be an inspiration to us all.
I had the priviledge of working with Jim at Faith Mountain for several years and also a lifelong friend to the Eastham family. I grew up on the Red Hill Farm owned by Dunny and Jackie Eastham. Jim was a wonderful friend and lived each day to the fullest. He was a loving and devoted husband, father, son and friend to so many who knew him. Jim will be greatly missed, but rest assured Jim is no longer suffering and has entered heaven’s gates. I lost my Dad on November 20th back some years ago and I know the sadness you feel at this time of year but I am praying God will bring comfort and peace to each one of you. Some day we will all be together again on God’s Golden Shore, never to part or feel pain anymore.