Ascutney, VT- James J. Brunt, 88, died Wednesday, May 8, 2024, at his home with his wife by his side.

Jim was born June 9, 1935, in Passaic, NJ, a son of George and Anne (Mabin) Brunt. He graduated from Pope Pius XII High School in Passaic in 1952 before enlisting in the Marine Corps, serving in the Korean War. While in Korea, Jim became pen pals with a fellow Marine's cousin who lived on a farm in Amsden, VT. He met his pen pal, Beverly Brown, in person following his honorable discharge from the Marines in1955.  They continued their romance as Jim returned to New Jersey to begin his career in electronics. Eventually, Jim and Bev fell in love and were married June 13, 1956, in Elkton, Maryland. Later that year he joined the Air Force and continued his career as an electronic technician and supervisor. He retired from the Air Force in 1975 and they moved to Claremont, where he worked as a television repairman. In 1984, the couple moved to Camden, AR where he worked at General Dynamics until retiring in 1993. After his retirement, Jim and Bev returned to Vermont, living first in Colchester and later in Perkinsville before making their home in Ascutney where they have lived since.

Jim was a member of St. Mary's Church in Claremont, NH. He enjoyed playing and watching baseball, bowling, and traveling, but his greatest joy was spending time with his family.

Jim is preceded in death by eleven siblings and a daughter, Pamela J. Gauthier.  He is survived by his wife Beverly A. Brunt; two sons, Jeffery J. Brunt of Newport News, VA, and Jerald J. Brunt of Bozeman, MT, a daughter Paula J. Bento of Wappingers Falls, NY, 9 grandchildren and 6 great-grandchildren.

A memorial service will be held at 2pm on Tuesday, May 21, 2024, at the Knight Funeral Home in Windsor, VT with a time of fellowship and refreshment to follow at the funeral home. Committal prayers and full military honors will be held on Wednesday, May 22 at 11am in the Vermont Veterans Memorial Cemetery Chapel in Randolph Center, VT. Condolences may be expressed to Jim's family in an online guestbook at www.knightfuneralhomes.com.

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to Warriors & Quiet Waters at www.warriorsandquietwaters.org.