James J. “Jim” Westerkamp, 64, of Clearwater and Indian Rocks Beach, died February 23rd at Suncoast Hospice Woodside.
Born in Fort Sheridan, IL, he came here in 1994 from Fredericksburg, VA. He was a management analyst for the F.A.A. and a Catholic. He was a life member of the NRA and was active with the Sports Car Club of America. He was an avid outdoorsman, Republican and Harley-Davidson enthusiast.
He is survived by his mother Dolores Westerkamp, Clearwater; five daughters: Michelle Jones (Floyd) of Locust Grove; Christine Westerkamp of Fredericksburg; Jennifer Jordan (Bill) of Mechanicsville; Tona Valakis (Jason) of Lovettsville (all in Virginia); Jessica Deheza of St. Petersburg, FL; his sister Joan DeWitt, and niece Jill DeWitt, both of Arlington, VA; and his grandchildren: Jared Jones and Fallon & Noah Valakis.
Memorial Service will be announced at a later date in Virginia.
Dolores, Michelle, Christine, Jennifer, Tona, Jessica & “mom” Westerkamp,
Your dad (and son) Jim was a wonderful neighbor. He was one of the most thoughtful people we ever met. He was the picture of helping other people. Kim and I will miss him. This seems so unfair, he was young in body and young at heart. A big teenager with a Harley Davidson. And great hair! Please let us know if we can help his “Virginia” family. (And Jessica knows where we live)
Much love, Jim & Kim
Daddy, we love you and will miss you more than you’ll ever know. I hope you and Grandpa are having a blast together. =)
Michelle, Floyd & Jared
Didn’t have the pleasure of knowing Jim, but knew his daughters and what wonderful women they are. I can say, they were raised with great morals and values and were a pleasure to be around, as Jim was too, no doubt.
RIP Jim. You were the coolest neighbor ever. You will be missed by all. Too young too soon. Prayers and sympathy to the family.
Daddy,
We love you and miss you so much! Thank you for always being such a fantastic father! We are all so blessed to have had you! Maybe one day Noah will follow in your footsteps and you can ride with him in spirit :)
Tona,Jason, Fallon and Noah
I will miss you Uncle Jim! You were one great man!
Michelle,
I pray for strength, peace,and encouragement for you and your family. Your dad is is pain free, and smiling down on you.
Love you and may the Lord continue to Bless you & your family.
Aisha Adams
Michelle, so very sorry to hear of your dad’s passing. It’s always so very sad to lose a parent. Thinking of you.
I know of no one more beloved and sincerely respected by family, friends, neighbors, and even strangers. In my way too brief time of getting to know him, I got to know a heart and soul oozing with kindness. The epitome of cool without an ounce of pretentiousness. For one of his “daddy’s girls” in particular, I plan to spend the rest of my life trying to live up to his example. Missing you is an understatement.
Daddy, we’re going to miss you so much. You taught me a lot and hopefully I won’t forget. I’m going to miss you calling me baby. Mom and others have said “You’re just like your father”. I welcome that and take it as a compliment. I love you so much! And to echo someone else-I hope you and Grandpa are having a great time together. I’m proud to be your daughter. We all send our love: Jennifer, Bill, Joey, Tyler & Kirsten
I know of no one more beloved and sincerely respected by family, friends, neighbors, and even strangers. In my way too brief time of getting to know him, I got to know a heart and soul oozing with kindness. The epitome of cool without an ounce of pretentiousness. For one of his “daddy’s girls” in particular, I plan to spend the rest of my life trying to live up to his example. Missing you is an understatement.
I had the pleasure of meeting you so long ago through my friendship with your daughter Jen. My heart goes out to her & her family during this time. I pray they find comfort in God above & in all of their cherished memories stored in their hearts. Rest well:)
I hope you all are doing well. I am very sorry for your lose.
Jim, you were a guiding light and great father to all your children. Even though I didn’t have the pleasure of meeting you, I know your spirit through Michelle and her sisters, who all love each other very much. That love will keep them going, now that they have lost you in the flesh…although your spirit wil be with them always. Go with God and enjoy the ride!
We are so sorry and are thinking of the family, Joan and Jill
Please accept our condolances.
Cal Schaffner and Cheryl Miller
Jim, you were a cool guy and a handsome, kind man with a big, big heart, a very dedicated, loving father to your daughters. You’re definitely a hole in the world with your absence. You will be greatly missed! Godspeed on your journey to the “other side.” Look forward to seeing you again one day.
In love and friendship,
Cheryl (Glitzner) Clausson (a.k.a. Bubbles) and a “friend of Bill’s”
I have some Great memories of this beautiful man, some funny, some scary, all wonderful. He was a wonderful, beautiful, intelligent man and I will Never forget him. Ever.
My dear, sweet Daddy. Words cannot possibly express the love I feel for you, and the loss I feel in my heart at this time. I am so very thankful that you got to meet my sweet Bill. We so enjoyed our week with you and Grandma, and so happy we were there with you on your 64th birthday. You are my Daddy, and I will always cherish our memories. I LOVE YOU with all my heart. I am so happy that you are at peace, and that you are no longer in pain. I am so happy that you and Grandpa are reunited in Heaven. Please know that I will always remember you and the great love that you showered over me and all of us Westerkamp girls. I am sending you a HUGE hug. LOVE YOU ALWAYS AND FOREVER, Christine
Condolences to Jim’s family. What an awesome friend. I am glad we were able to re-connect a few years ago and talk just a bit. Jim sold me his We met back in the late 80’s. We will miss you Jim!
To the family of a really good guy, more than just a neighbor, but a true friend always willing to help out,
He was a great story teller as well, we will all miss him.
We will always remember him oas a true patriot who loved his country.
I’m gonna miss you Jim. You were a good American, neighbor and friend. Godspeed. Todd
My Herat goes out to you all. I am praying for your comfort in your time of loss.
Rene’
Jim…..wonderful friend , always a happy smile and helping hand to all. Free of pain in loving arms. Will always love and miss you
Prayers and thoughts to the Westerkamp family during this difficult time. Hugs to you all !
Jim was a valuable member of our community . As a neighbor he was also a good friend and a joy to have around, a really good guy. Miss you Jim, prayers to you family and for you
Carol Keegan
Our thoughts and prayers go out to the entire Westerkamp family.
Michelle and family,
Please know that you are all in our thoughts and prayers.
Our Love,
Billy and Susie Coleman and family
We write this message with a heavy heart. Jim was a wonderful person, one whom we did not have the chance to see very often. He will be missed very much. We send our prayers to the whole family for strength and peace during this difficult time.
Our love always,
Jean, Nancy and Ciana
Although many of us have moved from VA, you will always be fondly remembered as a member of our VA family. Rest in peace, my friend.
AS A FORMER NORTHERN VIRGINIA RESIDENT, YORKTOWN H.S ALUMNI, VETERAN, U.S.A.F., AND A CURRENT SARASOTA, FLA. RESIDENT; I WISH YOU TO R.I.P. YOUNG MAN AND MAY GOD BE WITH YOUR FAMILY.
ONLY THE GOOD DIE YOUNG!
Dear Michelle and Family,
My heart goes out to you on the loss of your beloved father. Although I did not know him personally, the beauty that shines from within your heart lets me understand what good father he was to you. May God’s peace be with you and your family during this time of deep sorrow.
Love,
Carol Griffin & Family
Your family are in my prayers
YKTN 66
Condolences and prayers to the Westerkamp family. Always hard to have a love one start their next life, but hopefully him being free of pain and with OUR father will give you peace till you meet again.
My condolences to the Westerkamp family. I worked with Jim for several years at IHP and missed him after he retired. He was a good guy and lots of fun. I will remember him with much fondness.
So sorry for your loss. We bought his jeep and think of him all the time.
Jim, Why did you have to go so soon ?
You were and will always be a true friend.
Oh the stuff we got into :-) I guess you can say hi to Steve Plum. Tell him the three will be together again in a bit.
Got to go, tears are messing up my keyboard.
Love ya buddy
Ed
To the family of James Westerkamp. We are very sorry for your loss. We know how all of you all are feeling and you will be in our prayers. We love all of your family and we know that GOD is watching over you. Love, Garry , Connie and the rest of our family.
I am so very sorry for your loss. I feel really bad that I did not know until just right now. My thought and prayers are with all of you during this difficult time.
Jim and I worked together in the Pentagon (DPS) and were also roommates in Fairlington Villages in Arlington, Va. after his separation. I have tons of stories about the greatest man I have ever met. He bragged about his girls everyday. I was there when he stored his classic car in a barn out of state. (He said he would retrieve it in 20 years) He was so proud of his Associate Degree in Printing Technology, Publication, and Management. He then went up from there. I remember so many cool stories . . . He wouldn’t date a young lady if she was a G. U. (Geographically Undesirable) if we met women in the clubs in D.C. . . . He hated it if they lived on the other side of the beltway. . . I googled you and was hoping to say Hi . . . and was shocked. If anyone wants to hear how great Jim was in his early 20’s, just call 602.944.1313