James Varty Sr., age 72, of Mahnomen, MN died Tuesday, March 9, 2010 at his home under the care of Hospice of the Red River Valley.

Jim was born on December 15, 1937 to Leslie & Eldora (Chilton) Varty in White Earth, MN, and grew up in Mahnomen. After graduating from Mahnomen High School in 1955, Jim pursued his vocational interests at MSU & Dunwoody Institute, ultimately going to work for Verne Withrow at the Mahnomen Highway Department as an instrument man and draftsman.

In 1959, he married Linda L. London of Bejou, MN, and the couple moved to Rapid City, SD, where Jim took a job building interstate highways for Charles Miller & Schimkat Construction. The couple returned to Mahnomen in 1962, where Jim worked various construction jobs until 1967. He then went to work for Anderson Brothers Construction in Fosston, MN, and was employed there for the next 20 years.

Jim and Linda were married for 31 years, until Linda's death in 1991. Together they raised 6 children.

Throughout his life, Jim had a passion for automobiles and found great joy in restoring antique cars. He could frequently be found in his shop surrounded by friends both helping and watching as he meticulously worked on his cars. Jim was particularly proud of his 1941 Ford Coupe Convertible.

An avid deer hunter, Jim and his good friend and hunting partner, Ron Hendrickson, enjoyed many hunts east of Itasca State Park. It is there that they co-founded the "High Chaparral" Hunting Camp. Jim shared his enthusiasm for hunting with his sons and grandsons and looked forward to spending time with them each deer season at camp.

Jim was a member of the International Union of Operating Engineers, lifetime member of the Rod & Gun Club, National Rifle Association, Minnesota Darkhouse Association and St. Michael's Catholic Church in Mahnomen.

Jim is survived by 3 sons: Charles (Kathy), Twin Valley, MN, Leslie (Sabrina), Mahnomen, MN, James Jr. (Peggy), Rockford, MN; three daughters: Mary (David) Kaiser, Gary, MN, Julie (Gregory) LaVoy, Naytahwaush, MN, Rachel (Henry) Keogh, Stillwater, MN; 11 grandchildren; four great-grandchildren; five step-grandchildren; three sisters: Lois Otto, Mahnomen, Patricia (Alton) Erickson, Erskine, MN, and Cecelia (Alan) Bemis, St. Petersburg, FL.

He was preceded in death by his parents; wife; brother, Guy Varty; and two sisters, Yvonne Columbus and Jeannine Strandemo.