James Catlin Orem

SOUTH PORTLAND - Ninety-one years young, beloved husband, father, grandfather, great grandfather and friend to many, James Catlin Orem passed away February 19, 2023. Jim lived a full and happy life in Indiana and continuing in later years in Maine.  Married almost 70 years to his high school sweetheart, Virginia Ellen (Means) Orem, Jim lived the last 20 years in South Portland.

Jim is survived by his wife Ginny, daughter Carole, sons David and wife Peggie, son Stephen, grandchildren Parker, Quentin  and wife Madeline, Elizabeth, Hannah, and great granddaughter Grace.

Born July 27, 1931, Jim was the son of Vernon and Bertha (Catlin) Orem of Jeffersonville, Indiana, descendants of colonial and pioneer families.  A product of Indianapolis public schools and Arsenal Technical High School, class of 1949, Jim was one of the first in his family to attend college, graduating through Army ROTC from Purdue University, West Lafayette with a BS in Chemical Engineering in 1953. He served at Fort Belvoir and Fort Knox after graduation.

Jim started his work life early, beginning with a paper route at age 12.  In his teen years he worked at his high school chemistry lab, and during summers he worked jobs for a local chemical testing service.  After his military service, his professional career saw him take a path from chemical sales in Louisville to engineering positions with Western Electric (AT&T) in Indianapolis.  As the microelectronic revolution unfolded during the 1960s and '70s, his work centered on thin film microelectronic electroplating technology, and he rose to become an engineering manager at Western.  He earned a Professional Engineering license at age 49.

In 1986, after 22 years with Western Electric, Jim took early retirement and continued work in a new role as a contractor for Delco Electronics in Kokomo, Indiana.  There he was a team member developing hybrid microelectronic reliability testing methods.  He and his team received a patent for their work product.  He retired again after 7 years to work on his golf game.  During his retirement Jim was elected twice to the McCordsville, Indiana town council and oversaw the design and construction of the first public sewage works there.

Family was the focus of Jim's life.  In his youth he was surrounded by caring southern Indiana parents, grandparents, aunts, uncles, and cousins. He and Ginny married in 1953 and together built a warm, traditional family.  They punctuated their lives with festive holidays, vacations at Myrtle Beach and Orlando, outings, dinners, and concerts, all amidst the warmth and joviality of central Indiana.  Jim was actively engaged in his children's upbringing, never missing any of their performance events.  He provided for their college educations and assisted in various ventures throughout their lives.  In his later years he enjoyed following his grandchildren in their lives.  He was also a good son and brother, giving help to his mother and brother throughout their lives.  He and Ginny moved to Maine in 2003 to be near and help their daughter and grandson.

Jim had many talents and interests, making use of his inquisitive mind, analytical aptitude, deep memory, and love of chemistry, language, music, learning, working, and humor.  A child of the depression and war and living through the 1970s, Jim saved, repaired, and "made do", learning on-the-fly appliance and car repair, plumbing, furniture reupholstery, the making of tents and backpacks for family vacations, and much more.  He was good with his hands, and he could repair anything at home or in the garage.

His memory contained innumerable songs, quotes, poems, prayers, and Irish jigs.  He liked to dabble with the Russian language, which he had learned during his Cold War college days.  He held a lifelong interest in genealogy and family history, later pursuing a keen interest in genetic genealogy.  His knowledge of events, facts, and principles in many areas was deep and detailed.

Jim kept lifelong friendships from his youth and working days and was always happy to be neighborly.  He was able to give generously of his time and skills to many.  He enjoyed cigars, bourbon, classic movies, football, travel, holidays, music — classical, big band, and orchestral, the comic strip, fireworks, games, and much else.  He always took pleasure in listening to Ginny play the piano.

He loved nature and led his sons and friends on many adventures camping and canoeing in the north woods of Minnesota and Ontario over thirty years.  He and Ginny enjoyed a European Tour on their 25th wedding anniversary, cruises to the Caribbean and to Alaska, and more family vacations to southern beaches.  He enjoyed the easy oceanside lifestyle of retirement in Maine year-round.

Jim lived a full and happy life, and his presence will be greatly missed.  We will keep his memory alive and look forward to the day we meet again. A graveside service will be arranged in the Spring.