James “Jim” Alexander Volker, age 85 of Athens, NY passed away peacefully on June 29, 2026, at the Albany Stratton VA Medical Center with his loving family and friends at his bedside.

He was born on March 4, 1941, in Kingston, NY, a son of the late Elizabeth and James Volker.

Jim grew up in Kingston where he worked on local dairy farms while attending Kingston High school, going on to attain a degree in Dairy Technology at Cobleskill College.

He proudly served in the United States Army for two years during the Vietnam Era as a clerk typist and range safety officer. He then spent three years of service in the United States Army Reserves.

Following his honorable service, he returned home to continue protecting others.

Jim channeled his deep respect for nature and discipline into a distinguished 32-year career as a NYS Environmental Conservation Officer, dedicating his life to preserving the State's wildlife and natural resources. He served as a member of the honor guard, instructor at the NYS ECO academy and attended multiple NAWEO conferences in the US and Canada with his wife Janet.

After his retirement from the Department of Environmental Conservation in 2006, he continued his journey of public service serving as a Town of Hunter judge for 12 years―fulfilling another dream of service to his community.

Jim was also a proud and dedicated member of the Catskill Mountain Fish & Game Club in Hunter. He focused on engaging the area youth in the summer and winter fishing derbies, hunter safety courses and sending local children, including his grandchildren, to the NYSDEC summer camps.

Jim and Janet were fortunate to spend the last ten years enjoying life as snowbirds escaping the cold winters to soak up the warmth in Okeechobee, Fl. Jim enjoyed playing pool with his cronies and fishing on Lake O! Jim loved nothing more than sharing his great stories, possibly sipping on a sweet Manhattan on the rocks with a captive audience.

Jim leaves behind his loving wife of 29 years, Janet Volker; son Brock Volker and Mary; grandchildren Emily, Nate and Finn; great grandkids Grayson and Charlotte; daughter Cynthia and Edward Ortlieb; grandson Alexander; step-children Heidi and Mark Lewis, grandchildren Jayden and Zane, April Ruoff, grandsons Elijah and Logan and great grandson Levi, Jessie Ruoff, grandson Isiah, late James Ruoff, Jr., grandsons Nelson, Daniel and great grandson Jaxtyn.

In addition to his loving family, Jim leaves behind a lifetime of wonderful friends whom he deeply cherished and loved.

Relatives and friends are invited to call on Monday July 6, 2026, from 4-7 p.m. at the Millspaugh Camerato Funeral Home, 139 Jefferson Heights, Catskill, NY 12414. Funeral services will take place at the funeral home on Tuesday July 7, 2026, at 11 a.m., burial will follow in the family plot of Maplewood Cemetery in Jewett, NY with military honors.

To share a memory or for more information please visit www.millspaughcamerato.com.