James P. Kelley, 87, of Eau Claire, WI, died Thursday, November 7, 2013, at his residence. He was born on March 25, 1926, in Fond du Lac, WI, a son of William and Mame (Crawley) Kelley. He was raised in Fort Atkinson, WI, later moving to Stanley, WI, where he played football, with his brothers, at Stanley-Boyd High School, and graduating with the Class of 1944. Following high school, Jim enlisted in the U.S. Navy, serving from 1944 until his honorable discharge in 1946. After his discharge from the Navy, Jim attended UW-Madison, graduating with a degree in civil Engineering. In 1952, Jim enlisted in the U.S. Army and served during the Korean Conflict. He was honorably discharged in December 1956. Jim worked as a civil engineer for the State of Wisconsin Department of Transportation, and retired after 39 years. Jim married LaVonne Lahr on May 8, 1954, in St. Mary's Catholic Church in Stanley, WI. Together, they raised four children, spending summers and vacations in Northern Wisconsin. Jim appreciated the lakes and woods, and enjoyed hunting and fishing with his sons, Bill and Tim, and grandson, James, earning the nickname "Crappie Jim". Jim and his family traveled with the Eau Claire Boys Drum and Bugle Corp and the Sundowners for many years. Jim and LaVonne continued to follow the Drum Corp International throughout his life. Jim was a member of St. James the Greater Catholic Church, participating in numerous church activities. He was also a member of the Knights of Columbus John F. Kennedy Council 1257 and the Eau Claire Male Chorus for many years. After retirement, Jim and LaVonne enjoyed traveling to southern Texas during the winters to visit their son, Tim, and visiting their daughter, Sharon in Idaho. Jim was a very soft spoken man and a man of his word. He loved his family and friends. "Shamus" was proud of his Irish heritage and St. Patrick's Day was a great celebration at the Kelley residence!! Jim was well respected and will be sadly missed by his family and all who knew him. Jim is survived by his wife, LaVonne; four children, William (Marjorie) Kelley of De Pere, WI, Patricia (Dean) Kolander of Strum, WI, Timothy (Lisa Mitchell) Kelley of Caddo Mills, TX, and Sharon (Kirk) Bachman of Boise, ID; seven grandchildren, James (Alicia) Kelley of De Pere, WI, Rachel (Brad) Dohr of Plymouth, WI, Sara Kelley of Union City, NJ, Holly Kolander of Strum, WI, Nicholas (Liz Freund) Kolandar of Strum, WI, Keon Kelley of Nevada, TX and Jasmine Kelley of Caddo Mills, TX; three great-grandsons, Joshua Kelley, Trent Kelley and Aiden Dohr; and brother-in-law, Gene (Tina) Lahr. He was preceded in death by his parents; brothers and sisters, William, Jane, Mary Ann, Kathleen, David, Jack and Jerry. Mass of Christian Burial will be at 11:30 a.m. on Tuesday, November 12, 2013, at St. James the Greater Catholic Church, 2502 11th St. in Eau Claire, with Father John Schultz officiating. Visitation will be from 4 to 8 p.m. Monday, November 11, 2013, with a Prayer Vigil at 7:30 p.m. at Lenmark-Gomsrud-Linn Funeral Home–WEST CHAPEL, 1405 N. Clairemont Ave. in Eau Claire. Visitation will also be one hour prior to the Mass Tuesday at the church. Entombment will be in Resurrection Mausoleum in Calvary Cemetery in Eau Claire with Military Honors conducted by American Legion Post 53.

Service Information

Cemetery

Resurrection Chapel Mausoleum 2894 South Hastings Way Eau Claire WI 54701

Visitation

Monday, November 11 2013 4:00 PM - 8:00 PM

Lenmark Gomsrud Linn Funeral & Cremation Services West Chapel 1405 North Clairemont Avenue Eau Claire WI 54703

Prayer Service

Monday, November 11 2013 7:30 PM

Lenmark Gomsrud Linn Funeral & Cremation Services West Chapel 1405 North Clairemont Avenue Eau Claire WI 54703

Visitation

Tuesday, November 12 2013 10:30 AM - 11:30 AM

St. James the Greater Catholic Church 2502 11th Street Eau Claire WI 54703