James ""Jim Joseph Saad

June 5, 1953 - April 10, 2016

James ""Jim"" Joseph Saad passed away peacefully on April 10, 2016, surrounded by his family.

Jim was born June 5, 1953, in Detroit, Michigan, the second child of four, born to parents, Joseph and Eleanor. A graduate of Bishop Gallagher High School in 1971, he was then recruited to Colorado State University to play collegiate football. He transferred to Eastern Michigan University and pursued a degree in accounting. After returning to Colorado, he married Kim Elsey in Evergreen on June 28, 1975.

He lived his life by example, mentoring numbers of people by demonstrating the values of spirituality, empathy and kindness making him a trusted coach, leader and friend. Giving your best effort in whatever you do and leaving the results to the heavens was his life practice. He enjoyed his time by being with family, on the golf course, watching sports or riding bikes. He was a fierce athlete who could throw and hit a hanging curve on command, stripe a three-yard draw whenever he pleased, and throw a perfect spiral under game time pressure. His ability to execute carried over into his professional life as he became a successful entrepreneur in the moving and software industries, founding both Mesa Systems and Efficient Workflow Solutions.

He was an incredibly respected and beloved son, brother, husband, father and uncle.

James Saad, the endeared husband of Kim Saad is also survived by his sister, Kathy Cetlinski; twin brothers, Peter and Paul and countless nieces and nephews. A devoted father of Scott (Megan), Matt (Kristi), Chris (Sadye) and Joey. A loving grandfather to Jacy, Jaela, Joby, Madison, Makenah, Kenan, Kambrie, Harper, Colbie, Hudson and Duke. We find comfort in knowing that he is now close to what he worked towards his whole life, being with God. Jim often quoted Calvin and Hobbes saying, ""If you ever want to make God really laugh, let him know what your plans are.""

""You see, we only have so much control. so just let it flow, sit back and watch the show."" - Jim Saad

A Celebration of Life Service is being held on Thursday, April 14th at 10:00 a.m., in the Meyer Ballroom which is located in the University Center at Colorado Mesa University.

In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to an athletic scholarship in Jim's name, which will be set up in the near future. A service in Michigan will follow at a later date.

Published in The Daily Sentinel on Apr. 13, 2016