James Paden Vijande, 84, Former WSB-TV Sports Director

The following obituary was submitted by Lakeside Funeral Home:

Mr. James Paden Vijande, age 84, of Woodstock, Georgia passed away on March 22, 2015, after an extended illness.

Jim was born on May 15, 1930 in Cleveland, Ohio. He attended Syracuse University where he received his bachelor’s degree and earned his master’s degree from the University of Maryland. He proudly served in the United States Air Force and fought in the Korean War.

Jim began his professional career as a sports broadcaster in Miami, FL; he then moved to Atlanta, GA where he served as a sports anchor and sports director for WSB-TV.

Following his broadcasting years, Jim spent his final professional years as an investment broker with Oppenheimer & Co. He enjoyed spending time with his family, especially his grandchildren and had a great passion for anything pertaining to sports.

In addition to his parents, Jim was preceded in death by his sister, Jean, and son, Joey. Survivors include wife, Sharon Vijande; son, Scott Vijande, Daughters Katie (Michael) Cromwell and Laura (Caleb) Ruiz; grandchildren, Morgen and Abbie Ruiz and Allie Mears; sister, Lenore Gill.

Visitation will be held on Wednesday, March 25 from 11a.m. to 12:45 p.m. at Lakeside Funeral Home. A memorial service is scheduled for Wednesday, March 25, 2015, at 1 p.m. at Lakeside Funeral Home Chapel.

Interment will follow at Green Lawn Cemetery in Roswell.

In lieu of flowers, the family asks that donations in his honor be made to Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation (www.jdrf.org) or to the charity of your choice.

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