James Nicholas Splayt, of Gilbert, AZ passed away on April 16, 2019 at the age of 84. Jim was born in Blue Island, IL on July 31, 1934 to Nicholas Joseph and Betty [Chlapecka] Splayt. He attended Blue Island High School, graduating in 1952. Jim was an avid sports fan of all Chicago teams, especially the Chicago Bears and White Sox. He enjoyed golfing, playing baseball and basketball and swimming. When his children were young, the family set off on a yearly road trip to various Midwest destinations. These trips invariably included a stop at Stuckey’s, the Waffle House, and a stay at a Holiday Inn where he would swim with his kids until their lips turned blue. In his 50’s, he and his loving wife, Donna, moved to Mesa, Arizona. All three children soon followed and relocated to Arizona to start their families. He and Donna enjoyed many memorable trips to Laughlin, Las Vegas, Mexico, Hawaii, Cancun and Jamaica. Later in life, their month-long summer get-away to Coronado Island to escape the heat of Arizona, was undoubtedly his favorite, especially when his kids and grand-kids dropped in for a weekend - or a week. Last October, the entire family vacationed together in Oceanside, California and made a day trip to visit Coronado Island to re-live the good times they shared as a family there. Jim loved Arizona, loved taking meticulous care of his pool, loved sitting in the sun and reading the stacks of books he borrowed from the library each week, but most of all he loved his family, and he will be greatly missed by them.
After serving two years in the Army as an MP (and playing baseball for the Army), Jim started in sales and worked his way up to president of a greeting card company. After moving to Arizona, he sold insurance for Woodmen of the World and then started his own business, Discount Card and Party in Mesa, Arizona, which he operated for fifteen years. He is preceded in death by his parents, Nicholas and Betty, and his brother David. Jim is survived by his loving wife of 58 years, Donna Lee Splayt; children, Tamara Lynn Hartman, Cynthia Dawn Starkey and James Brian (Jane) Splayt; grandchildren, Zoe Rachael Hartman, Nikki (Kent) Taylor, Joshua Ryan Starkey, Mikayla Kirsten Starkey, Benjamin Splayt, and; great granddaughter expected in June, Paisley Jane Splayt; his siblings, Thomas (Judy) Splayt and Beverly (Nick) Flambouras; as well as his sister-in-law, Dee Splayt (wife of the late David Splayt). A celebration of his life will be held at 11:00 am, Friday, May 3, 2019 at Mariposa Gardens Cemetery Chapel, 6747 E. Broadway Rd, Mesa AZ 85206.
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