JAMES ‘JIM’ ARNOLD VOSE, LINCOLN – It is with great sadness that I announce that my beloved father passed away on April 19, 2018 after a period of declining health. He was the best man I have ever known and I was always proud to say those three little words “That’s My Dad.”
James ‘Jim’ Arnold Vose, 90, was born in Liberty, Maine on September 14, 1927. After discharge from the Marine Corps he attended Waltham School of Watchmaking and started his career in the jewelry business in 1952 in Lynn, Mass. Returning to Lincoln in 1955 he became an American Gem Society Certified Gemologist at Sproul and Vose Jewelers and J.K Vose Fine Jewelers where he remained until his retirement. He had a lifelong passion for gems and minerals. In 1976 as president of the Maine Retail Jewelers Association he originated his idea for a Maine Tourmaline Necklace, which is on display at the Maine State Museum, for our first lady to wear to state functions. Together with friend and goldsmith Addison Saunders they wrote a book titled the Crown Jewels of Maine. He was an inventor of gem instrumentation which he worked tirelessly on for over 40 years. He was so proud when he received a patent for his invention on March 8, 2011.
He was a respected member of the expert class of the Maine State Rifle and Pistol Association in the 1950s. His interest grew in competitive shooting and he became a volunteer and line officer at the National Civilian Marksmanship matches at Camp Perry Ohio for many years. The times spent at Camp Perry were some of the best times of his life. He confirmed the old saying “once a Marine always a Marine”. While at Camp Perry he commissioned a trophy to honor Carlos Hathcock II, a legendary Marine Scout and deadeye sniper and one of the greatest shooters in the annuals of Marine Corps history. The trophy is awarded to the highest scoring Marine annually.
He was a respected Main St business man for over 50 years in downtown Lincoln. He was passionate about economic development and tax increment financing for the Town of Lincoln. He worked tirelessly on many committees and development projects. Even with declining health at 90 he was still pursuing new ideas for economic development to benefit the Town of Lincoln.
He was predeceased by his beloved wife Esteena (Tena) Hanning Britton Vose, his step son, Sterling Leo Britton, his father, Alfred Vose Sr., brothers, Robert Vose, Alfred Vose Jr. and sister-in-law Marilyn Vose; sister, Virginia Scott and brother-in-law, Ellery Scott; step brothers, Bruce Griffin and Lee Griffin; nephew Kevin Griffin, niece Susan Smart and great-grandson, Jesse Birtz.
He is survived by his daughter Kathy Vose Wilson and son-in-law Jesse Wilson; several nieces and nephews; a very special niece Mary Lee Hawkes and her husband Larry Hawkes; daughter-in-law Sandy Britton, Joan Crocker, Susie Haynes Griffin and special friends Gloria Staples, Roger Morrison and Lawrence Smart Sr. He was Grampa Jim to John Britton and wife Sherry, James Britton and husband Dan, Barbie Britton Lindsey and husband Steve Lindsey, Brent Britton and wife Marissa, Lisa Britton Brown and husband Dean Brown, Philip Pelkey and his wife Kathy, Suzanne Britton McElvain and husband David McElvain, Amber Agner and Nikki Rowe; 18 great-grandchildren and seven great-great-grandchildren.
Visiting hours will be from 1:00 – 3:00 p.m. on Saturday, April 28, 2018 at the Clay Funeral Home, 7 Lee Road, Lincoln, where a Masonic and Military Funeral will begin at 3:00 p.m. A Military burial will be held at a later date at the Lincoln Cemetery. In lieu of flowers donations may be made to House in the Woods or the Gary Gordon Memorial Fund. Donations may be left at the funeral home. For an online guestbook please visit www.clayfuneralhome.com
