James S. Kaad

Obituary's Biography:

James Stacy Kaad, formerly of Wheaton, IL passed away Friday, November 17, 2023 at the age of 78. James spent his childhood in Wheaton and his teenage years in Michigan before returning to the Chicagoland suburbs after getting married to his wife Dawn (Hathaway) in 1968. At that time, he began a 35 year career with the Ford Motor Company. Although he spent many years working long shifts, he never let go of his other interests. He loved writing, especially science fiction and quirky, fun limericks.

He dealt with his dementia diagnosis for almost 17 years with patience, respect for all of his caretakers, and yet still threw out one-liners to surprise everyone and to make people laugh. Sometimes his own jokes would make himself smile. He lived his entire life with great regard for others and frankly the world, even when his memories would come and go. In addition to his quick, sometimes fierce wit, he was creative and incredibly intelligent. His heart was broken when losing his wife after almost 49 years of marriage and then his son Chris and grandson Ryan the following year. His surviving daughters, Amy (Kevin) Wagner and Stacy (Chris) Hoffmann, and grandchildren, Nick (Bre), Jack, Cate, Ella, Madeline and Emily have memories that will last a lifetime and bond them together like nothing else could.

James is preceded in death by his wife Dawn, son Chris Kaad, grandson Ryan Kaad, his parents George and Catherine Kaad, his brother John (Mary) Kaad, mother-in-law Micki Kampf, and his father and step mother-in-law Buell and Edith Hathaway.
May he finally be soaking in the sun while sitting at the Gulf of Mexico in Florida – his retirement dream. A private service will be held at a later date.