James Munson Vreeland

Jim Vreeland passed away at home in San Jose, CA on 21 December 2021. Born 1932 in Morristown, New Jersey, he is survived by his loving partner, Marty Reynolds, daughters Cathy and Amy, daughter-in-law Lauri, and five grandchildren. He was predeceased by his son Jim and his wives Barbara Eidem and Sara Loving. A 28-year veteran of the Navy, Jim graduated from Brown University and started Naval Flight Training as a NAVCAD in 1953. An exceptional pilot, Jim served multiple tours as a flight instructor and standardization pilot. His operational tours included fleet tours in F2P Photo Banshee and RF-8 Crusader detachments onboard multiple aircraft carriers in both the Mediterranean and Pacific.

With close to 5000 pilot hours behind him, Jim spent the second half of his Navy career as an aircraft investigator with the Navy Safety Center where he led dozens of investigations of Navy and Marine Corps aircraft mishaps. After retiring from active duty, Jim returned to his aviation roots as a civilian simulator instructor training Naval Flight Students. A world traveler, Jim’s biography would read like no other. With more brushes with death than a nine-lived cat, he lived life to the fullest until finally slowed by the ravages of time. He will be missed by all.