Madison – James P. Sullivan, age 86, passed away on Tuesday, May 15, 2018 at Oak Park Place. He was born on February 23, 1932 in Columbus, Wis. , the son of Henry A. and Mary Elizabeth (O’Mara) Sullivan.
Jim attended a one room elementary school and graduated from Columbus High School in 1950. He graduated from the University of Wisconsin in 1954 with a BS in Pharmacy, and became a registered pharmacist in both Illinois and Wisconsin in 1956. Jim was a pharmacist at Nihan & Martin in Rockford, Ill.
In 1958, the District Manager from Eli Lilly & Company convinced him to take a job as a medical services representative (sales) for Lilly in Peoria, Ill. Jim had a successful 36 year career with Lilly in Peoria, Chicago and Madison. Upon retirement, Jim worked part time as a relief pharmacist for St. Clare Hospital in Monroe, Wis.
and Group Health Cooperative in Madison. Jim met his future wife, Judith McClane, while making a sales call in Peoria, at a physician’s office where she worked. They were married on May 12, 1962.
They celebrated their 56th wedding anniversary this year by watching a live streaming of their oldest grandchild graduating from the University of Arkansas with a BS and MS in accounting. They became parents of three children, John (Terri) Sullivan of Waunakee, Beth (Rick) Miller of Colleyville TX, and Scott Sullivan of Cottage Grove. Jim was proud Papa to 6 grandchildren; Austin and Parker Miller; Lexi and Halle Sullivan; and Tierney and Logan Sullivan.
Jim was active in the community through his membership in the Downtown Madison Rotary Club (he first began his association with Rotary as a member of the Rotary Club of Peoria, Ill. ), an active member of Toastmasters in Peoria; and a member of the Madison Elks Club. In addition, Jim was a member of St. Peter Catholic Church for 47 years, where he was a regular lector and served on the parish counsel.
Spending time with family and friends was one of his great joys. Some of his favorite activities included golfing at Cherokee Country Club, where he was a member for more than 40 years, and hunting and fishing trips to Canada. He was also an avid Badger and Packer fan.
Jim is survived by his wife; children; grandchildren; a brother, Joe (Edith) Sullivan of Boyd, Wis. ; brother-in-law, Bill McClane of Cornell, Ill. ; and also many nieces and nephews.
Jim was preceded in death by his parents; three brothers, John (Caroline), George (Ramona), and Ed (Irene); three sisters, Mary (Jimmy) LaRoche, Margaret (Walter) Miller, and Patricia (Joe) Matt. A Mass of Christian Burial will be held at 11 a.m. on Monday, May 21, 2018 at St. Peter Catholic Church, 5001 N. Sherman Ave. , with Monsignor Charles Schluter officiating.
Visitation will be held from 9:30 a.m. until the time of Mass. Thanks to the caring staff at Oak Park Place – especially to those in Autumn Lane who cared for Jim over the past four years – to Agrace HospiceCare and to the St. Peter’s volunteers and staff who were so supportive over the past four weeks. Memorials may be made to the Rotary Club of Madison, St. Peter’s Catholic Church, and Agrace HospiceCare.
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