James 'Jim' Dorrington Van Doren Jr.

TAMPA, Fla. - James "Jim" Dorrington Van Doren Jr., LMSW, 65, died on Monday, Jan. 2, 2017, from complications following open heart surgery.

He was born on April 22, 1951, in Oak Park, Ill., to parents James and Margaret Van Doren. Jim was a mental health and addictions counselor whose advocacy for children and families spanned over 40 years serving the western Upper Peninsula and northern Wisconsin. He served the Ironwood area from 2006 to 2015.

Jim married Georjean "GiGi" Polich Van Doren in 2009.

He is survived by his wife; his children, Jeremy, Kathryn "Kate," and Peter; stepchildren, Karl Nousiainen and Melissa Nousiainen Haggerty (Glenn); and foster son, Curtis Young. He is also survived by sister, Margaret "Peg" Saltz (Art); grandchildren, Max and Sylas Franklin; as well as 15 nephews and nieces.

Jim's mission in life was to help others and he will be remembered by the many people whose lives he touched. Some of his proudest accomplishments were the founding of a large and successful adult-children of alcoholics group in the Chicago area which resulted in an invitation to appear on the Oprah Winfrey Show, serving on the Iron County, Mich., Drug Court from its founding until 2014, and founding Samaritan Counseling Center serving Ironwood area.

Jim was a punster who loved to play with words and accents. His passion was having new experiences with his family, friends and his dog, Besa. He especially liked hiking the waterfalls of Gogebic and Iron counties.

Memorial services will be held at Grace Covenant Church in Iron River, Mich., Saturday, Jan. 21, at 11 a.m.