Jim was born on April 23, 1930 in Cicero, Illinois to Frank and Irene (Bokina) Wawrzyniak. He passed away on April 7, 2013 in Glendale, Az. He graduated from St. Mel High School in Cicero, Illinois in 1948. There, he was active in ROTC. He then attended college for a time, and in 1951 married his first wife, Pat. They had two daughters, Chris and Lorri.
Jim began his career with Western Electric AT&T, Hawthorne Works, Cicero, Cook County, Illinois, in 1952. He received his Journeyman certification as a Tool and Die maker in 1956. He left Western Electric and lived for a time in Albuquerque, New Mexico where he continued his trade. He then moved to Phoenix to work at Western Electric’s new cable manufacturing plant, the Phoenix Works, in 1967. He was an instructor at the Western Electric Journeyman Trades Training School, and was then promoted to supervisory management in 1968. In 1974 he received a BS in Business Administration/Accounting from Arizona State University. During his career at Western Electric AT&T in Phoenix, Jim held various management positions in skilled trades, production and accounting. He retired from AT&T on November 15, 1988 with 27 years’ service.
Jim was a skilled woodworker who built beautiful furniture, and he also spent some time as a licensed pilot. But, the hobby he loved the most was bass fishing, and over the years, especially after retirement, he spent many an hour on the various Arizona lakes. For many years he participated in bass fishing tournaments as a member of several fishing clubs in the Valley and acted as a bass guide for a time. He never turned down an opportunity to go out to the lakes with his fishing buddies.
Jim was a 20 year resident of the West Valley. He and his wife just recently moved to Peoria. He was a loving family man who provided support, wisdom and counsel to all.
He is survived by his wife of 32 years, Carlene, daughters Christine Pinkston (Larry) of Virginia Beach, VA, Lorri Warner, Virginia Beach, VA, stepchildren Chuck Chesser (Vicki) of Denver, CO, Heidi Rybar (Ray) Campe, Verde, AZ, granddaughters Sheri DeMartino (Jimmy) Kansas City, MO, Laurie Coldren (Bret) San Diego, CA, grandson August Chesser, Bend, OR, sister Joan Marcinek and nephews Mark and Alan Marcinek, and nieces Celeste Ortiz and Marilyn Bennett.
A visitation will be held from 5:30pm to 6:30pm Thursday, April 11th at Thompson Funeral Chapel in Goodyear, AZ. A memorial mass will be held at 10:00 am Friday, April 12th at St. Thomas Aquinas Catholic Church in Avondale, AZ.
In lieu of flowers, the family suggests donations be made to Hospice of the Valley.
Condolences can be made to www.thompsonfuneralchapel.com. Arrangements are under the direction of Thompson Funeral Chapel in Goodyear, AZ.
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