James Albert Denney

James "Jim" Albert Denney, age 85, passed away on Thursday, February 5, 2015, in Duluth, Minnesota, his lifelong home. Jim was preceded in death by his loving wife Beverly and his parents Harry and Irene Denney. He is survived by lots of Denneys.

Jim served in the US Navy for several years after graduating from UMD in 1952. He started work for US Steel in 1945 as a young deckhand and deckwatch on the S.S. William A. Irvin, and retired from that company in 1983 after serving in many professional capacities before his retirement, from accountant to public affairs representative and lobbyist. He served in numerous community, civic, church and sports related organizations.

Jim and Bev raised four boys – Jim, Jeff, Jon and Joel, who all grew up near Skyline Parkway on what is now Denney Drive. Jim introduced his boys to Chester Park at a young age where they all learned to ski – in a big way. Jim was a driving force behind many of the improvements to Chester Bowl over the years, including the building of the very successful community downhill ski area and chalet, where thousands of Duluthians have learned to ski over the years.

Jim was an Eagle Scout, Shriner, board member of the Salvation Army, President of the Duluth Ski Club, active member and treasurer/trustee of St. John’s Free Lutheran Church, chair of the US Ski Association Ski Jumping Competition Committee, Chief of Calculations at the 1980 Winter Olympics in Lake Placid, NY,and a graduate of the UMD School of Business and Duluth Central High School.

Jim and Bev purchased a cabin on Schultz Lake when they were first married, and they spent the next half-century expanding their family footprint and building life long memories for so many family and friends.

He is survived by his very special friend, Gloria Streu; his four sons Jim (Susan) Denney, Duluth; Jeff (Kim) Denney, Bloomington; Jon (Susan) Denney, Grand Rapids; and Joel (Alice) Denney, Minnetrista; and by 14 grandchildren: Danielle (fiancée Michael Moriarity), Jimmy (Linda), Jeffery, Sarah (Ben Johnson), Eric, Matthew, Garrett (Rebecca), Karl, Molly, Andre, Arianna, Joshua, Nathan and Caleb Denney, and 3 great-grandchildren: Isabelle, James and Emily; many family members and longtime friends.

Visitation: 3:00 – 5:00 p.m. Sunday, February 8, 2015 at Jarvi Dowd Funeral Home, 925 East 4th Street, Duluth. Visitation will continue from 10:00 until the 11:00 a.m. funeral service Monday, February 9, 2015 at Trinity Lutheran Church, 1108 East 8th Street, Duluth. Memorials are encouraged in lieu of flowers to St. John’s Free Lutheran Church in Duluth, and the Salvation Army. Please leave a memory of Jim or words of support for the family at www.bellbrothersjarvidowd.com .