James Lee Vires

James Lee Vires of Bennington died unexpectedly at St. Peter's Hospital in Albany, NY on Tuesday, October 15, 2024 from complications of a massive heart attack.

Born in Peoria, Illinois on December 10, 1957, Jim was the first-born son of Lee and Dorene Vires. He grew up in Peoria and Tennessee, where he spent frequent summers with his mother's parents. One of his favorite childhood memories was the time he spent at the local library, especially when the children's librarian took him under her wing – and directed him to books about writers, and told him he could be a writer, too. He graduated from high school in Peoria and almost immediately joined the United States Air Force, where he was a member of the military police.

Jim traveled far and wide throughout the country, even 'riding the rails' for many years (which later spawned fictional and non-fictional accounts of the places and people he met along the way). Before coming to Vermont in 2010 and Bennington in 2012, he lived in the Tacoma, WA area. He achieved an associates degree there and worked as a drug and alcohol counselor. While in Tacoma, he joined a couple of online writing communities, which is how he met his partner, Genie Rayner.

He moved to Vermont to help Genie with the care and support of her father, who had Alzheimer's Disease. That necessitated their move from Rutland, VT to Bennington County, and to Bennington soon thereafter. Almost immediately, Jim became active in local politics. This quickly led to frequent trips to the Statehouse in Montpelier, to Washington, D.C., New York State, and other places.

One trip to D.C. resulted in his arrest on civil charges when he disrupted a legislative hearing and was removed from the gallery by police - which he considered one of his proudest moments. He was subsequently sentenced to community service, which led to his involvement with, and soon his employment by, Catamount Access TV in Bennington. This was perfect for Jim - he loved his co-workers (Lisa, William, Mike, Lee, and Tony) and filming town and school events, parades, and gatherings, meeting and talking to all the people.

Jim was always a political creature. In addition to his activism trips, he knocked doors for candidates in town, county, state, and national races. He served as a campaign manager or field director or advisor for several candidates, and he was so proud to be appointed to the Charter Review Committee for the town he loved.

Jim was predeceased by his parents. In addition to his partner, Eugenie (Genie) Rayner, he is survived by his daughter, Bridget, and his son, Curtis, and five grandchildren. He also leaves his siblings: Joe, Brenda, Jerry, and John. His political friends and colleagues from around the state and the country are too numerous to cite here, but his beloved “siblings” from other mothers meant the world to him, and include Elizabeth Deutsch, State Representative from Bristol; Mari Cordes, Tom Haley, Vickie Lampron, Jackie Matts, and Jeannie Jenkins.

His family would like to thank the nurses at St. Peter's Hospital who took such good care of Jim, especially Paula and Brittany.

There will be no formal services, but Mahar Funeral Home is in charge of arrangements. A memorial gathering to celebrate Jim's life is being planned for Sunday afternoon on November 10, 2024. Final details will be on Genie's Facebook page as soon as possible.

Memorial donations may be made to Francis of Assisi Cat Rescue in Bennington, Second Chance Animal Shelter in Shaftsbury, CAT-TV in Bennington, or a charity of your choice.
Jim would have appreciated a tree planted in his name, if so desired.

Jim's email signature, from Dr. Seuss's The Lorax, says, "Unless someone like you cares a whole awful lot, nothing is going to get better. It's not." Jim cared a whole awful lot and made the world better as a result.