Philip “Phil” J. James, age 75, of Prior Lake, MN, passed away peacefully on Thursday, December 26, 2019, at United Mercy Hospital, in Fridley, MN.
A visitation will be held on Thursday, January 2, from 4-6 pm, at Ballard-Sunder Funeral and Cremation, 4565 Pleasant Street SE, Prior Lake and on Friday, January 3, from 10-10:45 am, followed by a Mass of Christian Burial, at 11 am, at St. Michael Catholic Church, 16400 Duluth Street SE, Prior Lake. Father Tom Walker will preside. Phil will be laid to rest at St. Michael Catholic Cemetery. Memorials are preferred and will be distributed in Phil’s memory by his family.
In Milwaukee, WI, Philip John was born on February 8, 1944, to Kenneth and Helen (Clausen) James. He was the middle child of five. Phil also grew up in Milwaukee with siblings, Bob, Tom, Denny and Karen. As a young boy, he learned the attributes quite quickly of hard work, commitment and loyalty, being a paperboy. This experience paved the road for Phil in his adult career path. At the age of 14, his family moved to Edina, MN, due to his father’s job. Phil attended Edina High School, where he played football and was a proud graduate of the Class of 1962.
The James family was once again on the move, this time to Morton Grove, IL. Phil followed, but soon returned, attending the University of Minnesota for a short time. Ultimately, he took an office equipment sales position with Smith Corona Corporation (SCM). Phil excelled quickly and advanced into a Branch Management position, moving to Flint MI, before heading back to the Chicago IL, area to manage an office there. Phil eventually returned to the Minneapolis area where he managed the local SCM branch for about a decade. He also extended his knowledge and expertise with for a short time with Saxon, and then CDP for about 15 years, before transitioning to IKON. Phil completed his career with Metro Sales, retiring in 2008. He was a highly regarded mentor! Phil took a strong interest in helping his colleagues advance their careers and many into leadership positions. Something he was very proud of.
Life became enriched becoming a family man. Phil met a young gal, Barbara Gabritsch, while attending an Elvis impersonator event in Hopkins, MN. He asked her to dance and the rest was history. Phil and Barb wedded on April 23, 1966, at Nativity of Our Lord, in St. Paul, MN. From this union, they welcomed a son, Jeff, into their arms. Phil worked hard and long hours, at his job, but made sure to be present for the important family moments. As a family, they enjoyed the annual summer vacation, in August, to Sandy Beach Resort on Gull Lake, with relatives and friends. As a couple, Phil and Barb enjoyed a several vacations to some great destinations, including Hawaii. It was becoming a grandfather to Vanessa and Lauren, that was the greatest gift in life. Phil was crazy about his granddaughters and they spent a lot of time together. He and Barb loved attending and supporting them at their sporting and school events.
Phil always had a strong interest in IndyCar Racing. As a young boy, he loved attending the races at the Milwaukee Fairgrounds racetrack. Phil later passed on this passion on to his son, Jeff. Since 2000, they enjoyed watching on TV and attending races, especially the Indianapolis 500. Phil treasured collecting autographed photos of the racers and knew the history of the sport, like the back of his hand. Phil also had a friendly competitive edge, especially when it came to playing cards, chess, and other games with his granddaughters.
Phil will be forever missed and loved by wife, Barb; son, Jeff (Kristie) James; granddaughters, Vanessa James, Lauren James; siblings, Bob Sr. (Helen) James, Denny (Jan) James, Karen James; sister-in-law, Tricia James; other relatives and friends.
There to welcome Phil home in eternal peace are his parents, Kenneth and Helen James and brother, Tom James.
