Notes for JAMES DANIEL VAN VELZOR:
Son of Roscoe Daniel and Marie A (Kelley) Van Velzor.
Born: April 11, 1922 in Warren, Macomb County, Michigan.
Died: February 11, 2000 in Cheyenne, Laramie County, Wyoming.
Buried: Cheyenne Memorial Gardens, Cheyenne, Laramie County, Wyoming.
Last Residence: Cheyenne, Laramie County, Wyoming.
Married: Dollie Darleen Boyd May 23, 1943 in Galeton, Weld County, Colorado.
Obituary
James D. Van Velzor - 1922-2000
James D. Van Velzor, 77, of Cheyenne, Wyoming died Feb. 11 at United Medical Center - West.
He was born April 11, 1922, in Warren, Mich., and had lived here since 1951 with prior residence in Greeley, Colo.
At age 18, he enlisted in the U.S. Army Air Corp. In 1942, he graduated from Infantry OCS as 2nd Lieutenant. He served in the infantry and was injured during World War II in Germany. In 1943, he started pilot training. In 1947, he was given a medical disability retirement from the United States Army with the rank of Captain.
In 1947, Mr. Van Velzor attended watchmakers school in Denver. He graduated in 1948. He worked at a watchmaker until 1950 when he came to Cheyenne and worked as a watchmaker here until 1952.
In 1953, he went to work for Cross Music Center until 1955 when he went to work for Wells Music company and then for Investors Diversified Services from 1957 to 1960.
Mr. Van Velzor opened his own business, Van Velzors House of Music, in 1960 until 1987.
In 1967, he was elected to the Wyoming House of Representatives and served for four terms. In 1972, he was elected Mayor of the City of Cheyenne. He was an originator and member of the Mayor's Advisory Council for the City of Cheyenne.
Mr. Van Velzor was Chairman of the Governor's Committee on Employment of the Handicapped and was on the President's Committee. He was elected National Chairman of the 50 combined Governor's Committees and also served on the Advisory Board and the Exective Board of the President's Committee. He was on the Governor's Committee for Older Americans for the State of Wyoming.
Mr. Van Velzor was appointed Chariman for the State of Wyoming for the White House Conference on Handicapped and served as Chairman of the Rules Committee of this conference.
In 1981, he spearheaded the formation of the Silent Witness Program in Cheyenne, had served as Chairman of the Board and was now an honorary member.
He was a member of the Board of Directors of the Cheyenne Housing Authority and served as Chairman of the Board for eleven years. He served on the Board of Directors of the Board of Public Utilities and the Cheyenne Water Board.
Mr. Van Velzor was a Deputy Sheriff, member of First Baptist Church since 1951 and served as moderator for five years and was a deacon of the church, president of Executive Club for a number of years, member of DAV, VFW, American Legion, Cheyenne Lodge #1, Shrine Club, Commandant of Cadets at Civil Air Patrol for many years, past president of the Christian Motorcyle Association, Gold Wing Motorcylce Club, Board of the Wyoming Business Development Center and had been president of the Christian Business Men's Club.
Mr. Van Velzor is survived by his wife, Darleen Boyd Van Velzor of Cheyenne, whom he married May 27, 1943, in Galeton, Colo.; two daughters, Jodi Reng of Worthington, Minn., and Sue King of Tempe, Ariz.; two brothers, Bill Van Velzor of Dearborn, Mich., and Tom Van Velzor of Walled Lake, Mich.; a sister, Mary Ballmer of Lansing, Mich.; five grandchildren and seven great-grandchildren.
He was preceded in death by his parents, Roscoe and Marie Van Velzor.
Services will be Tuesday at 10 a.m. at First Baptist Church with the Rev. James E. Watson Sr. officiating.
Interment will be in Cheyenne Memorial Gardens.
Friends who wish may contribute to First Baptist Church or a charity of their choice.
