W. James “Jim” Clavey
Obituary's Biography:
W. James “Jim” Clavey, 87, a resident of Grayslake, IL peacefully passed away alongside family Tuesday, May 23, 2017 at Journeycare Hospice in Glenview. He was born April 20, 1930 in Highland Park, IL to Elmer and Marie (nee: Kress) Clavey. Jim was a veteran of the US Air Force and had a passion for flying. He even met the love of his life, Arline, at the Sky Harbor Airport in Northbrook. Jim attended Oshkosh every year with his family and friends for many years. He worked for ComEd for 48 years as a lineman working his way up to a management position making lifelong friends along the way. Jim was a compassionate man, known for his integrity, being fair, equitable, and gregarious. He was a true gentleman that made friends anywhere he went and every Thursday enjoyed coffee with his neighbors. Jim was especially proud he grew up in the nursery that planted the ivy for Wrigley Field. Jim cherished his family and is survived by his children Kim Clavey and Father Jim Clavey, and his grandchildren Dan Bergquist, Bradley Bergquist, and Steven Bergquist. He was preceded in death by his wife of 64 years, Arline. Friends of the family may visit at STRANG FUNERAL CHAPEL & CREMATORIUM, 410 E. Belvidere Road, Grayslake, IL 60030 on Tuesday, May 30, 2017 from 4:00 p.m. until 8:00 p.m. The funeral mass is scheduled for Wednesday, May 31, 2017 at 12:00 p.m. at St. Gilbert Catholic Church 301 E. Belvidere Rd. Grayslake, IL. Interment will follow at Ascension Catholic Cemetery in Libertyville, IL. Afterwards, at 4:30PM, a meal and celebration of his life will be held at the Byron Colby Barn 1561 Jones Point Rd, Grayslake, IL Memorials may be made to Journeycare Hospice 2050 Claire Ct. Glenview, IL 60025. For further information, please call (847) 223-8122 or visit www.strangfuneral.org.
Comments are closed.
I was saddened to hear about Jim’s passing this week. I became acquainted with Jim and Arline when I married Wendy Marks. We visited Marj and Jack often in Highland Park, and family get-togethers introduced me to the Clavey clan. Jim and Arline were especially warm and friendly, I always felt right at home.
After Marj and Jack moved to Havana, we lost personal contact with Jim and Arline. But we did exchange Christmas greetings and Valentine letters. Wendy prepares our annual family Valentine letter which includes updates on all of our family members.This year’s letter featured a picture of me hanging the engine on the experimental airplane I’m building. The next thing I know I get a call from Uncle Jim wanting to know all about this airplane business. What kind of engine, what gross weight , how many passengers, what cruise speed – we talked for almost an hour. We discussed the types of planes we flew and our many pilgrimages to Oshkosh. We managed to catchup on family too. It was a wonderful conversation between two sky boys.
I would like to offer my condolences to Kim and Jim and the extended Clavey family. When we lose a friend from the flying community, we say they have ‘gone west’. I believe that we are all going to the same destination, just taking different flights. Godspeed, Jim