Earl James, Jr.

Unconditional in his love, Earl A. James, Jr. was a man of integrity, honesty and loyalty, who gave his all in everything he did with an unwavering and encouraging demeanor. With faith as his guide, he accomplished much in life and loved abundantly. Earl lent his warm, friendly smile and kind heart to everyone around him and in doing so, brightened many lives.

Each generation has unique milestones and events that have helped shape future generations. The 1920s were without exception. In 1927, the advent of flight took a giant step when Charles Lindbergh made the first trans-Atlantic solo flight non-stop from New York to Paris. The entertainment world entered a new phase with the first “talkie” motion picture starring Al Jolson. On November 14, 1927, in Marion, Indiana, Earl A. James, Jr. was born, an event that would shape the future generations of his family.

Earl was a very intelligent young man; so much so that at the age of 16, he skipped his senior year of high school in Van Buren, Indiana, and went on to pass the entrance exam into Purdue University, where his older brother, Bill, was already attending. However, in time, Earl followed the same patriotic calling of other young men of the time, and proudly served in the Army Air Corp. He liked to tell about his many experiences as an air traffic controller while stationed at Clark Field in the Philippines. Upon his honorable discharge from the military, Earl returned to Purdue to complete his degree in Agriculture. It was during this time that Earl met his first wife, Peggy Amy, from Corydon, Indiana, on campus at the Wesley Foundation. The two dated and fell in love, and were later married. Peggy and Earl had three children, Margie, Bob and Ron.

After graduating from Purdue, Earl put his education to good use working as a County Extension Agent in various counties throughout Indiana. Eventually, Earl moved his family to Leavenworth, Kansas for a year while he worked for the Klean Lean Hog Company in the southwest area of the U.S. Once the company was bought out by Purina, they moved back home to Indiana. Then, in 1972, Earl took a job managing a fertilizer plant in Grant Park, Illinois, and he and Peggy made their home here. Sadly, after only a short time, Peggy passed away.

Earl was a man of great faith, which played an important part in his life. He was a member of the Asbury United Methodist Church, and was active in the church choir, which performed in Madrigal Dinners. He was also a certified lay speaker, a delegate to the annual conference for several years, and was in the United Methodist Men. Earl met his wife, Sharon, when they were both in the Asbury Chancel Choir. They were married in 1981, and with three children each, they became quite a loving bunch. Earl continued to work hard to provide for his family as an insurance agent for Mutual of Omaha in Kankakee. After several years, he decided to retire, though this didn’t last too long for he wasn’t one to be idle. Earl took a part-time job as a greeter at Walmart and for 14 years, his warm, friendly smile greeted friends, neighbors and strangers alike from his community.

When not working, one of Earl’s favorite pastimes was flying. After completing his flight training in Fort Wayne, Indiana, he bought a Cessna airplane and became a part-time flight instructor, teaching many people, including his two sons, how to fly. Earl was also a real history buff, and especially enjoyed reading books on World War II. Above all though, family was the greatest source of happiness in Earl’s life. He was so proud of all his family, and simply adored his grandchildren and great grandchildren. Most of Earl and Sharon’s vacations centered around visiting various family members, and seeing the sights close to them. Like their trip to Alaska in 1983, when Earl and Sharon went to visit his older brother and his family. Earl enjoyed it so much, he took several more trips back over the years. He and Sharon also had family that worked at Snow Mountain Ranch with the YMCA of the Rockies, and they enjoyed vacationing there with them. One of their most memorable trips was the 10-day tour of New England during the fall of 2001, which had amazing sights and colors. Even in the end, Earl still wanted to visit who he could, even as difficult as it was for him. Ten days ago, Earl traveled to Bolingbrook to visit a longtime friend of over 60 years. And before that, he and Sharon spent Thanksgiving with his grandson in Arlington Heights, which was a tremendous effort for Earl, but looking back, Sharon said “I’m so glad we did – such good memories.”

Honorable, patriotic, respectable and a family man – these are the words that best describe Earl. His legacy of love and dedication leaves his loved ones with wonderful memories and a strong foundation to look to for comfort.

A time for gathering will be on Friday, December 28, 2012 from 3:00 until 7:00 p.m. at the Kankakee Chapel of the Schreffler Life Story Funeral Home. Services will be held at Asbury United Methodist Church at 186 South Harrison Ave., Kankakee, Illinois on Saturday, December 29, 2012 at 11:00 a.m. with a visitation from 10:00 until time of service with Rev. Steven Goodin officiating. Memorials may be made to Asbury United Methodist Church. To leave a special memory, to share a special photo, or to view Earl's video tribute, please visit www.lifestorynet.com.