James Coerte Voorhees |
| Posted 2023-09-04 by mhenderson |
| Published by Today's News Herald on Sept. 4, 2023 - Lake Havasu City, Arizona (personal article, page 5A) James Coerte Voorhees passed away on August 16, 2023 surrounded by his family. Coerte was born in Santa Monica, CA in 1948. He just celebrated his 75th birthday. Coerte proudly served in the United States Navy from 1969 to 1972 as an Ordnance Mechanic during the Vietnam War. Also, in 1969 he married the love of his life, Michelle, and together for 54 years they built a fabulous family and life. Their son Paul and daughter Marrilee were their pride and joy. In 1976 Coerte and Michelle moved their family to Flagstaff, Arizona where Coerte purchased Andy’s Body Shop. Coerte put his heart and soul into his business for 24 years until he sold Andy’s to his son in 2001. Coerte loved cars. More specifically classic cars. He was an avid collector and restorer of unique collector cars. You could often find him at a car show either as a spectator or showing off his work. One of his most liked cars that he owned was a 1948 custom Chevy hauler with a 502 ramjet. On that hauler he displayed his custom T-bucket big engine with a blower. It’s impossible to think of Coerte and not think of his knowledge and love of cars. Coerte was a smart business man. He retired at the age of 47 and moved to Lake Havasu with Michelle in 1998 where they began a wonderful retirement. They loved to travel in their motorhome and did so often. Coerte was the life of the party no matter where he was! If he was around, you knew it! His sense of humor was infectious and seldom was there a time that he didn’t make all those around him laugh. Michelle has often said his ability to make her laugh was what she loved most about him. Coerte had a tough exterior but a soft interior. He came across as a hard ass, but there was never a more loyal, fair, and compassionate person. With Coerte, what you see is what you get. He was a dedicated and good husband, father, grandfather, son, brother, and friend. Simple things made him happy. You could put a smile on his face with an elk summer sausage! He always left those around him with a smile and some crazy story! Coerte is survived by his wife Michelle Voorhees, his son Paul Voorhees (Laura Gonzales), his daughter Marrilee Easton (Steve Easton) and the center of his world his grandson Joshua Easton. His sisters, Todd Voorhees and Gail Voorhees and many nieces and nephews. He was loved and adored by all. He brought color to the world and he will be deeply missed. Per Coerte’s request there will not be a service for him, but the next time you have a cocktail, raise it to the sky and say, “Here’s to you Coerte. George.” That right there would make him happy. |
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