James Wiley Beardslee

James, “Jim” Wiley Beardslee of Colorado Springs, Colorado passed away Sunday, October 24, 2021, in Rockland, MA while vacationing. He was born to Anna Spörer, December 13, 1949, in Berchtesgaden, Germany. Maria Löffler, a midwife who delivered him, raised Jim until age 8 at which point in time, he went to live with his mother who had married Gerald Beardslee, a US Army soldier who later adopted Jim.

Jim attended Mergenthaler Vocational Technical High School in Baltimore MD. He participated in track and hurdles and was a marksman shooter. After graduating in 1969, he enlisted in the US Army and served a tour in Vietnam.

Due to an auto accident in 1971, Jim became a paraplegic and was transferred to Fort Sam Houston Hospital in San Antonio to rehabilitate. A year later, he was able to walk again and was medically disabled from the Army. With the help of the GI Bill, Jim began his studies at San Antonio Community College, later transferring to The University of Texas at Austin.

While attending UT Austin, Jim met his future wife, Christine. He was a 1985 graduate, earning a degree in Architectural Engineering. Afterwards, he was hired by Black & Veatch Engineers, whom he worked for in Austin and who later transferred him to Kansas City, MO. After getting his Engineer’s license in 1991, Jim moved the family to Peoria, Illinois where he worked for Phillips/Swagger and Associates. In 1992, the family made their final move to Colorado Springs, where Jim was employed by RMG Engineers. Eventually, Jim started his own business, Sporer Engineering LLC in 1994. Due to failing health, Jim closed the office in 2005.

Jim is survived by his loving wife of 36 years, Christine Beardslee; daughter, Greta Castañares of San Antonio, TX; son, Scott Beardslee (Jesse) of Rollinsville, CO; son, Eric Beardslee of Fort Collins, CO; and daughter, Andrea Scheide (Rich) of Colorado Springs, CO; grandsons Aiden Fin Castañares and Gage Rollins Castañares. James is preceded in death by his parents and Maria Löffler.

A visitation for James will be held Tuesday, November 16, 2021, from 6:00 PM to 8:00 PM with a Celebration of Life beginning at 7:00 PM at Sunset Funeral Home, 1701 Austin Highway, San Antonio, TX 78218. A graveside service with military honors will occur Wednesday, November 17, 2021, 9:45 AM at Ft. Sam Houston National Cemetery, Shelter #5, 1520 Harry Wurzbach Road, San Antonio, TX 78209.

Fond memories and expressions of sympathy may be shared at www.sunsetfuneralhomesa.com for the Beardslee family.