James “Jim” G. Orphan

James “Jim” G. Orphan, 97, of Westmont, peacefully cashed out on Wednesday, January 21, 2026. Jim was the doting husband to Judi for 62 years. Through the thick and thin, Jim not hearing her critiques, and her forgetting what she was yelling at him for, their love was something movie scripts are written about.

When Jim’s parents moved to America from Greece, without means, Jim was born to a life of “work for what you want”, and quickly found his calling, and steady way, as a Union Electrician in the Local 134. He proudly worked as an electrician in commercial construction and maintenance for countless years.

In 1963 he met the love of his life, Judith “Judi”, and eagerly accepted Nanci and Robert as his own, immediately jumping into the role of fatherhood. Jim went on to be a dad anyone would hope to have.

After retirement, Jim, better known as Jimmy to friends and dealers, was finally able to pursue a longtime passion of putting chips down on the table and watching them grow. Over several decades he amassed a closet full of polos and windbreakers with grateful casinos logos. In addition, a stack of ticket stubs from Vegas-comped flights now represents all of Jim’s cross county trips which undoubtedly included multiple plates at the buffets.

Through all the hits and stays, there was one thing Jim always landed on, which was being a grandpa. Jim and Judi gladly took in their granddaughter Leah, and raised her as their own, proudly seeing her off to every photo-worthy event they could, and joyfully seeing her become a great educator. Their other granddaughter, Jamie, also, without missing a beat, kept him on his toes with persistent updates in her nursing career. Jim’s grandson, Donald, was constantly his go-to to talk sports, crack jokes with, and always be the first to ask how things were going. When possible Jim also enjoyed visits with his granddaughter Brandi from whom he was able to get the latest gossip and newest trends.

Before his passing, Jim proudly held the title of Great-Grandpa to seven adoring speculators. Luka, Jasper, Dylan, Trevor, Brooke, Lincoln, June, and Avi, who will all be discouraged to follow in his gambling footsteps, but hopeful to follow in his abiding love for family and friends.

Through all the folds and busts, one ace up his sleeve Jimmy always had was his daughter, Nanci. Nanci could not have been a more devoted daughter, religiously bringing Jim and Judi homemade meals and keeping up around the house for them, sometimes twice a day in his later days. If not for Nanci, Jim would likely have not been able to spend his finals days in the comfort of his own home.

After four decades of torment disguised as lessons for betterment, Jim also leaves behind a precious son-in-law, Donald, for whom he unspokenly had a multitude of gratitude for fixing things around the house, livery, and reminders on what’s politically correct in his eyes.

The room won’t be as loud when people try to yell over the football game. Jim’s grandchildrens’ spouses, Jill, Mallory, and Miles, can all position their kids for a picture using indoor voices, but will miss the void that Jim used to fill in the middle seat.

Those who knew Jim, know he didn’t want any fuss, and with that, a stack of chips will be put down in his honor at the nearest casino, without any formal services to take place.