James George Zoerb

Born in LaCrosse, WI, Jim was stationed at Fort Belvoir, VA when he met the love of his life, Cookie, who was working for the Navy in Washington, D.C. A chance meeting at one of the clubs in the 50s' started their wild ride with fate and fortune. After leaving the Army, Jim worked as a welder and machinist, later transitioning into a career in engineering at the Fort Belvoir Research, Development and Engineering Center. Jim was especially proud to be awarded a commendation for helping develop design changes and improved techniques, saving the Center $4.5 million dollars.

Always a civic-minded guy, Jim volunteered and worked tirelessly for the Lorton Community Action Center for many years. He also enjoyed working the polls anytime an election came around. A 45 year love affair with northern VA and the D.C. area ended when Jim and Cookie finished careers as civilians for the Army and Navy. They moved to Williamsburg in 2006, where they spent their later retirement years. Both loved to travel and toured Hawaii, Europe, the Balkans, Scandinavian countries and Africa; particularly enjoying Russia and Spain. In his leisure time, Jim enjoyed spoiling his grandchildren, tinkering on cars and odd fix-it jobs, gardening, going to movies, playing games with friends, and singing with Cookie in a local group called The Joy Singers. Jim will always be remembered for his wonderfully quirky personality, having a joke ready for any occasion, a song in his heart, his endless curiosity and love of learning something new. Everywhere he went, children and animals were attracted to this magnetic, lovable guy.

Survivors include his wife of 64 years, Edna M. (Cook) “Cookie” Zoerb; he was the proud father of Mark Richard and Laura Elaine (Zoerb) Holmes (Mark H.); a devoted grandfather of Mark James Zoerb, Amber Elaine (Wes Waldeck), Haley Elizabeth (Samuel Maney), Kelsey Noelle Holmes, Sara Gabrielle Bravis (Connor); and loving brother of Nancy (Zoerb) Doerre (John).

The family will receive relatives and friends at Nelsen Funeral Home Williamsburg Chapel on Monday January 2nd from 11:00am-1:00pm. Services will begin in the chapel at 1:00pm with the reception to immediately follow.

Interment will be at Quantico National Military Cemetery, in Quantico, VA at a later date.

In lieu of flowers contributions may be made to a GoFundMe entitled “Jim’s Wish for Rita.”

https://gofund.me/e0711e33