James Sinnott Sheldon

James Sinnott (Jim) Sheldon, 80, of Burke VA, passed away on September 17th.

Jim was born on April 23rd, 1944, to Robert and Marjorie (Sinnott) Sheldon. He was raised in New Hartford NY and attended New Hartford schools. He attended the University of Toronto and Syracuse University, where he earned a Bachelor’s in Psychology. In 1968 he enlisted in the United States Army. He volunteered for the Field Artillery branch in honor of his great, great uncle, Captain Albert Sheldon, who served in the same branch in the Union Army during the Civil War. Jim served in Vietnam in 1969-70, where he rose to the rank of Sergeant E-5 in the 1st Cavalry Division. Among the many awards he received during his service were two Bronze Stars.

Upon his return he worked as a civil servant in the Department of Defense at the Pentagon. After graduating with a Master’s in Systems Management from the University of Southern California he worked at Fort Belvoir VA as a professor of Systems Acquisition. He retired from the Defense Acquisition University in 2013 at the age of 69. Jim was deeply involved in his local Catholic Church as a eucharistic minister, including helping distribute food to the needy. 

Jim was a great conversationalist with an extraordinary array of interests. He enjoyed books and movies of all sorts, sending out personal reviews to family members. Jim loved sports and played basketball for New Hartford High School and the University of St. Michael’s College in Canada. 

Jim is survived by two sisters, Carol McDonnell (Kevin), of Grand Rapids, Michigan and Rosemary Prevec of Burlington, Ontario. He was predeceased by his brother-in-law Ludvik Prevec and his big brother Nick. Jim was very close to his siblings and their families for his entire life. They shared many lovely experiences highlighted by Jim organizing family trips in the Adirondacks and also the Outer Bank Islands. He is survived by many cousins, nephews, nieces, grandnephews and grandnieces around the world from South Africa to Canada, and throughout the United States. Special thanks to Jim’s close friends and neighbors Tom and Carol Schwartz, and lifelong friend, Ron DeBlois. 

A funeral mass will be held at St. Mary's of the Sorrows church in Fairfax, VA on Thursday, October 3, 2024 at 11:00 am. 

Out of respect for Jim’s wishes there will be no calling hours.

In lieu of flowers please consider a donation, in Jim’s name, to Catholic Charities or any charity of your choice.

We will miss you forever, Jimmy.