James August Kolkmeier

James August Kolkmeier, 76, of Chicago IL and Tucson AZ, passed from this life on March 22, 2018, in Chicago, surrounded by family and friends. Jim was born June 20, 1941, in St. Charles, Missouri, the second son of Alfred and Irene (nee Horstmeier) Kolkmeier.

Jim grew up on the family farm in St. Charles County, Missouri. He attended Elmhurst College in Illinois, where he met his future wife Leslie Gooding. Jim and Leslie were married on June 12, 1965, in St. George’s, Grenada (then British West Indies). Jim spent a brief time at United Airlines before being offered a position with the newly formed Southwest Airlines. While in Elmhurst, Jim and Leslie had their first child Catherine. They moved to Dallas in 1971, where Jennifer was born, and where they lived for the next 28 years. Jim was instrumental in the success of the small airline, being the Dispatch Supervisor the entire time of his career with Southwest until his retirement in 1996.

Jim was always a farmer at heart, and operated a cattle ranch in Celeste, Texas, raising prize winning Limousin cattle, and upon his retirement, he and Leslie moved the cattle herd to Hillsboro, Wisconsin. In 2006, encouraged by his good friend and mentor the Rev. Dr. Ronald Goetz, he resumed his academic pursuits at the age of 65, completing his bachelor’s degree at Elmhurst College and earning both a Master’s Degree in Theology and a Master’s of Sacred Theology from the Chicago Theological Seminary. He traveled to Jerusalem, and later lectured on philosophy at civic events.

Jim is survived by his wife Leslie Kolkmeier (nee Gooding), daughter Catherine Kolkmeier, daughter Jennifer Stonemeier (nee Kolkmeier), his grandchildren Daylan and Shae. He is survived by his brothers Daniel, Wesley, Stanley, Leon, Calvin, and Christopher, sisters LaVonne, Martha, Alvyne, June and Joan. Jim is preceded in death by his parents Alfred and Irene Kolkmeier, and his brother Thomas. He will also be missed by close friends Andrea Billhardt of Chicago and Charlie and Patti Knower of Wisconsin.

Jim found joy in his family (especially his grandchildren), a good debate, time spent with friends, the quality of his hay, expanding his knowledge, communing with his cows (“the girls”), and sharing ice cream cones with his favorite dog, Curly.