James David Veach

The following obituary is shared in memory of Mr. James David Veach in recognition and honor of his family and friends in Johnson County and Southern Illinois. James David Veach, 76, of Teaneck, New Jersey passed away at his home on December 3, 2023. Jim, the son of James F. and Nysabea (Taylor) Veach was born in Chicago, Illinois on January 19, 1947 where his father was attending Northern Illinois College of Optometry. When Jim was two years old his parents moved back to their home town of Vienna, Illinois. Jim grew up in this small town participating in school sports, mowing lawns, and becoming quite the trumpet player alongside his father, a talent Jim passed on to his son, Zachary. He attended the public school system in Vienna. Jim loved to recall his sixth grade class where his mother was his teacher and he was required to address her as Mrs. Veach. Jim graduated from Vienna High School in 1965. He then attended Vanderbilt University from which he graduated in 1969. Jim served one year in the Peace Corp and was assigned to Togo, in Western Africa. After his Peace Corp service he continued his education at New York University School of Law, where he received an LL.M. in International Legal Studies. Jim practiced law in New York City and retired as a partner from the law firm of Mound, Cotton, Wollan and Greengrass. Jim married the love of his life, Deborah Lifschitz, on May 31, 1986. Jim and Deborah have one son, Zachary Adam Veach. Jim and Deborah enjoyed traveling and in the past few years enjoyed three trips to Israel and traveled through several Eastern European countries learning more about Deborah’s family history. Jim was always an active community member of Teaneck, NJ. One of his special interests was maintaining and enlarging the green space within the township of Teaneck. He was still addressing this issue with community leaders within a week of his death. Jim was an avid reader and had a strong interest in history. In January of 2023 he began republishing original articles written and published by his grandfather Earl D. Veach in the Vienna Times, a weekly newspaper published since 1879. This series of articles, entitled “Out our Way” captured the changes Earl had experienced in his life span. At the end of each republished article Jim liked to add annotations connecting the past events, places and people to the present. One of Jim’s greatest joys came in the last few years of his life as he was valiantly fighting his battle with cancer, with the birth of his two granddaughters. Jim was known for his kindness, his gentlemanly manners and his love for his family. Jim is survived by his beloved wife Deborah, his son Zachary Adam Veach and his wife Jenna, granddaughters Nia and Dani Veach, sister Barbara (Larry) Mizell, Vienna, Illinois, sister-in-law Jeanette (Martin) Heistein, Teaneck, NJ, as well as four nieces and one nephew and extended family members. The funeral was held at Temple Emeth, Teaneck, NJ on December 4, 2023 followed by interment at Riverside Cemetery in Saddle Brook, NJ.

James David Veach

January 19, 1947 - December 3, 2023