John Thomas James was born in Chicago to Harriet and Harry James on July 2, 1943 and passed away at home on June 29, 2024. He graduated from Lane Tech in 1961 and University of Illinois in 1966 as an Electrical Engineer. John’s main career years were spent working at Honeywell, first as an Engineer in Arlington Heights and then in Minneapolis, Minnesota in Product and Sales for Building Controls. He met the love of his life in October 1974 at Honeywell and married Phyllis (Phyl) McLain James on May 17, 1975. Their daughter Karen was born in October 1978 and then the family moved to New York in 1979, where their son Bob was born in September 1980. Further moves brought them back to Minnesota and Illinois and a job change took John and Phyl to Massachusetts in 1997, where they lived until they retired in 2002. John and Phyl moved to Sun City, Huntley, IL in 2003 and is where Phyl remains. John was active in Sun City, from the Woodshop, golfing, weekly Bridge card games and playing on and eventually coaching his beloved Hurricanes softball team. He was a die-hard Cubs fan and celebrating their World Series win in 2016 with Bob was a highlight he never forgot. Moss did not grow under John and Phyl’s feet while retired and they enjoyed traveling the world together for the next 21 years. They escaped the Illinois winters by heading South to Orange Beach, Alabama each year as official Snowbirds.
John is survived by his wife, Phyl, of nearly 50 years; his daughter Karen (Kevin Pate) of New Albany, Mississippi; and son Bob (Sally) of Cary, Illinois. He was preceded in death by his parents.
A celebration of life will be held on Saturday, July 20, at the Meadowview Lodge within Sun City from 1-4 pm. We ask that you bring your best Dad joke and wear Purple (Sun City Hurricanes) or Chicago Cubs (Blue/Red/White) colors.
In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to the three causes most dear to John’s heart: University of Illinois Alumni; St. Jude’s; or the IAVA (Iraq and Afghanistan Veterans of America).
For further information please contact the DeFiore Funeral Home 847-515-8772
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John was the smartest man I knew and he will be greatly missed in our Sun City neighborhood #19. He had a wonderful bucket list that he continued to pursue. God bless you John. You did good!
We send you our condolences. I have many wonderful memories of Uncle John! We are sorry that we cannot attend the memorial due to a scheduled surgery. May God hold all of you in the palm of his hand. Our prayers are with you.
Many thanks to John (and Phyl) for everything they have done for Neighborhood 19 and for all the good times and fun! John will be well and long remembered!
So very sorry for your loss.
We both are deeply sorry for your loss Phyl. We just found out. Blessings to you and your family.