James Vaus Jr.

A memorial service for James Arthur Vaus Jr., 78, of Head Waters will be held 1 p.m. Thursday at the Head Waters Lodge. Burial will be 2:30 p.m. at the Head Waters Cemetery.

Mr. Vaus died Monday, December 1, 1997 at Augusta Medical Center in Fishersville. He was born February 17, 1919, in Los Angeles, California.

He was a wiretapper for organized crime who committed his life to Christ at the Greater Los Angeles Billy Graham Crusade in 1949. He spent the 1950s traveling to four continents shareing with others how Christ had changed his life.

In 1958, he established Youth Development, Inc. to lead troubled youth in New York Cindy out of gang warfare into Christian service. Since that time Y.D.I. has launched numerous youth services around the country, including a nationwide  youth crisis hotline. Mr. Vaus' latest work was a retreat center for youth in the mountains of Virginia.

Survivors include his wife, Alice; one daughter, Madeline Vaus, Long Island, NY; four sons, Dennis Vaus of Lynchburg, Steve Vaus of San Diego, California, Roger Vaus of Head Waters, and Will Vaus of Murrysville, Pa.; two sisters, Elizabeth Rothenberger and Virginia McLaughlin, both of California; and 10 grandchildren.

Memorial contributions may be made to the Head Waters Lodge, Head Waters, Va. 24422.