Beloved husband, father and friend James John Behen III, of Williamsburg, died Friday, Oct. 24, 2014, after a brief bout with pancreatic cancer. He was 75.
Born in Dover, Delaware on Aug. 30, 1939 — to James John Behen Jr. and Mabel Driver Behen, James (known as “Jim” to family and friends) — he graduated from Dover High School in 1957. He attended the University of Delaware, graduating in 1961 with a bachelor’s degree in chemical engineering and a commission in the U.S. Army Chemical Corps.
He worked briefly for Merck & Co. before being assigned to the Army’s Chemical Center in Maryland for two years. While there, he met and married Corinne Anne Crispell. During their 51 years of marriage, they had two children — daughter, Barbara, and son, Michael.
After leaving the Army, Jim returned to Merck where he served over the years at manufacturing plants in Rahway, New Jersey; Danville, Pennsylvania; and Elkton before becoming manager of Merck’s Flint River plant in Albany, Georgia. In 1982, he and his family moved to England to serve as the company’s first managing director of European operations. He returned to the U.S. in 1987 and was based at the company’s Whitehouse Station, New Jersey headquarters.
After retirement, Jim and Corinne settled in Williamsburg where they had spent their honeymoon. A lifelong athlete and sports fan, he played on both varsity football and baseball teams while in high school and was an avid golfer and poker player throughout his life. He was also very active in Kiwanis and served as president of the local chapter; he especially enjoyed ushering football games and golf tournaments and volunteering for the holiday fund drives. He will long be remembered for his kindness, his even temper, his wisdom, his wit and his indefatigable sense of humor.
He is survived by his wife, daughter and son; grandson, Gideon; sister, Margaret Anne Collison; and countless friends.
A visitation will be held from 2 to 4 p.m. Thursday, Oct. 30, 2014, at Nelsen Funeral Home.
In memory of Jim, contributions may be made to Hospice House and Support Care of Williamsburg.
Please leave online condolences for the family at Nelsen Funeral Home.
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