"We were very saddened by the news of Jim"
In loving memory of
James Kneisley
December 31, 1969 - December 31, 1969
James Owen Kneisley, 72, of Indianapolis, passed away on October 29th. He was born in La Porte, Indiana to James O. and Edythe Kneisley. Jim was a three-sport letterman at La Porte High School and enjoyed the many high school reunions of his Slicer classmates. He attended Indiana University and received a bachelor?s degree in Business followed by an MBA. At IU, he was a proud member of Phi Delta Theta fraternity, in which he remained active for the rest of his life and served as a chapter advisor. He was a distinguished ROTC graduate and served in the United States Army, achieving the rank of First Lieutenant in the infantry and (in his words) ?protecting the plains of Kansas from the Communist hordes?. He began a career as a commercial banker with the First National Bank of Chicago in 1962. In 1969, Jim was approached by the first Nixon administration and became a top executive in the Office of Minority Business, where he worked tirelessly to expand opportunities for minorities to own and manage businesses. After returning to the Midwest, Jim joined American Fletcher National Bank in Indianapolis and led the commercial lending division. Always an entrepreneur, he then worked as an acquirer, manager, advisor and financier of a wide variety of businesses. Crisis management was his greatest talent. Jim had a great passion for the Chicago Cubs and we are certain he is now orchestrating a World Series run for them. He was a member of St. Luke?s United Methodist Church and Meridian Hills Country Club. Jim is best remembered for his many friends from all walks of life and for the time he spent with his family as a wonderful husband, father, grandfather, mentor, confidant and coach. Jim was preceded in death by his beloved daughter Alyssa, his brother Bob and his parents. Jim is survived by his wife of 50 years, Joyce Webster Kneisley; daughter Jennifer Ferguson (Stuart) of Louisville, KY; son John Kneisley (Whitney) of Larchmont, NY; sister Debbie Hite (Larry) of Leeds, ME; and sister Sue Steele (Harold) of Hamilton, OH. He also leaves behind five adored grandchildren -- Anabelle, Beau and Elise Ferguson and Jack and Will Kneisley -- and several nieces and nephews. A memorial service followed by a visitation will be held at St. Luke?s United Methodist Church on Monday, November 16th at 1:30 pm (interment will be private). In lieu of flowers, the family has requested that memorial gifts in Jim?s name be made to the Indiana University Foundation, Goodwill Industries of Central Indiana or Society of St. Vincent de Paul. Arrangements have been coordinated by Leppert Mortuary, Nora Chapel. All of us are blessed to have had him in our livesPlease visit www.leppertmortuary.com ,where you can sign the guest book, or leave a personal message for the family.
Tributes
"Jim was a respected competitor and a trusted business confidant--a class act who is missed!"
"I called on a business 20 years ago and came away with a true friend and mentor. Whether it was helping Jim coach John's baseball team or simply having lunch, I enjoyed and learned from every minute I spent with Jim. From his story about Jackie Robinson or how he helped Cathedral High School, this very humble man touched so many lives. He especially touched mine. He was a dear friend, mentor and role model. I will miss him greatly, as will so many."
"Jim was a great friend and mentor for the last nine years that I have had the privilege to know him. He taught me all kinds of things including business concepts, strategies, and tactics. He was a wealth of information and shared his vast experiences freely. Jim coached me on many aspects of starting and running a small business and he loved to talk about technology which he had a great penchant for distilling down to its essence in order to communicate it to a non-technical audience. Scores of entrepreneurs can attest that Jim left his mark on the local business and finance community. We will miss him greatly."
"We were sorry tohear of Jim's passing. AsChristians we know death is a beginning and not an ending, but death is still difficult to meet. We are glad we could share your friendship and that our sons, Mark Potter and your John were friends at N.C. Althlough ourpaths have not crossed recently, your family still shares the past with us.in Christ,Herb & Beverly Potter (Mark's parents)"
"My deepest condolences to Joyce, family and friends on the passing of JimK (as I knew him from the CCO). I only had the pleasure of meeting him one time but knew him from our association in the CCO. His comments, memories and expertise will be sorely missed, especially by this old-timer (as he liked to call us older guys in the CCO). Rest in peace, Jim."
"I was very saddened to hear of Jim's death. Jim was a wonderful person and one that will be greatly missed. Although we did not talk often, I always very much enjoyed his sense of humor and our discussions regarding the Chicago Cubs and the Cleveland Indians. He was a very special person."
"To a Great Dedicated Cub Fan and a Great man; I wish your family strenght and calmness as you start a new journey that many of us here didn't wanted you to start so soon. I'm sure they know you touched many lives in a positive way with your love for life. Cub nation lost a great one when you left but we wish you the best as you make your way up to a higher league. I know your soul will touch many more up there and maybe you can talk God into that World Series you wanted!!!See ya later Friend, Agustin Rexach "
"Thoughts and prayers Kneisley. Here's to a wonderful, respected, loving, and kind father who will be your guardian angel, looking out for you and your family. Put in a good word for me. I'm truly sorry for your loss. "
"The love of the Chicago Cubs is how I first got to know Jim through one of his favorite websites Chicago Cubs Online. It was here where I always looked forward to Jim's great insight of his beloved Chicago Cubs and his historical knowledge of the team. I was always thrilled when he would submit his personal tales ranging from Jackie Robinson to Carl Pohlad. I always felt like I learned something when I read a story from Jim. Late in 2008, I faced the task of fighting for custody of my six year old daughter. One of the hurdles put before me was a requirement by the judge to spend a week last December in Kansas with my daughter prior to a custody change taking place. This was going to be a financial hurdle I wasnt sure I could overcome. I reached for help anywhere and everywhere I could, including through the Chicago Cubs Online chat site. Almost immediately Jim began correspondence with me to get a better understanding of my situation. It wasn't long thereafter that a check arrived in my mailbox from Jim to help me.Jim not only offered his financial help, but he worked to assist me with employment and always stayed in touch especially after I was awarded custody of my daughter Abby in March. Jim checked in regularly to see how we were doing. During one conversation this summer we discussed the fact I had to essentially buy Abby a whole knew wardrobe for school and slowly work towards buying toys for her because her grandparents didnt send any of her toys back with her. Jim asked about Abby having a bike and then informed me to go online and pick out a bike and let him know which one Abby selected. Within days we received a check to purchase the bike. He didn't have to do this, especially after he already offered his assistance months earlier. But it was very appearent this man had a heart like no other. His only condition for the help was for me to send some pictures of Abby enjoying her new bike.Abby drew Jim and his wife Joyce a photo and a thank you card. We included some photos of Abby on her bike. He then sent her a wonderful note through my email.Jim had a great entraprenurial spirit and I was looking forward to his guidance as I set forward to start my own business, speaking to kids in schools about setting their goals and chasing their dreams. I had just received my business license this past week and was set to contact Jim and share the news. I am deeply saddened that I will never have the opportunity to meet Jim. I had hoped that perhaps during a spring training trip we might be able to meet. I do know that the next trip I make, I want to go to a Rockies game and get the autograph of one Seth Smith. I will cherish that autograph more than any other I possess because I know how much of a fan Jim was of his "adopted son".Jim K, as we at the CCO fondly knew him as, was an amazing man, a great Cubs fan, and most of all a classy and caring person. Just knowing Jim made me want to be a better person. I only hope that in my days that remain on this earth I can be a fraction of the man that he was. Though our only communication was primarily over the computer, I am honored to have known him.Rest In Peace Jim. You will be missed. "
"My deepest condolences to Jim"
"I only know Jim K through Chicagocubsonline.comHis love for the Cubs was contagious and his postings will be missed. The world has lost a great man."
"I'd like to offer my deepest condolescences to all of Jim's family and friends.Jim was a rare and special man...and I only knew himthrough daily contact over the last year at ChicagoCubsOnline.com. On a daily basis, I looked forward to his posts...his wit, humor, integrity and philosophy of life came through loud and clear.He is sorely missed already.May God bless you and keep Jim in the Palm of his hand."
"JimK as we knew him was an active, passionate, yet consistently upbeat contributor to the Chicago Cubs Online. I'm sure he will be missed by the entire community there. "
"Here was my best source of one-very-thing that I cared most. Like many others, I knew Jim through the Cubs. Jim's life cannot be defined, and should I not easily take one for this great soul, by what he taught me, on baseball and on life. But I know this much: Jim is a man who knows where his passion lies, and how far his passion brings him. And as a Cubs fan, I felt it."
"My sincerest sympathy to you on the loss of Jim, your husband, father and grandfather. The LaPorte High School reunions will never be the same without Jim hunting for some of the lost female members of the class. Jim will be missed at our class of '55 reunion in 2010. May God grant you peace and comfort.Sincerely,Sandra Link Lignell, North Fort Myers, FL "
"Jim was a genuine Renaissance man. We'll miss thislarger-than-life person who touched so many lives. Howwill we get through Spring Training in Mesa withouthis visit and his,'This is the year!'? Our hearts go out toJoyce and her family......Coop and Judy"
"Our thoughts and prayers are with you all. We pray God will comfort you in the upcoming days. The great news is someday we will all be together in heaven and no more tears and seperation.Love,"
"I have nothing but great things to say about JimK. I know that his thoughts and commentary on Cubs baseball will greatly be missed. Jim was and forever will be the man. God bless."
"Jim was my cousin, and as I was growing up in LaPorte, IN I always looked forward to Jim, Joyce, Alyssa, Jennifer, & John's visits. As the years have taken me away from Indiana, I am thankful for the times we had. Our prayers are with you,Kevin, MakNyo, & Michael Ott"
"We are sad to learn of Jim's passing and wish to express our deepest sympathies.I met Jim as a client while he was a driving force at American Fletcher National Bank. Jim was very professional and personally interested in people and helping meet their needs. Above all, Jim was always a gentleman who had the highest ethical standards that he always applied in his work. It's very difficult for the world to lose someone of Jim's character."
"It saddened me to learn about Jim's death, as I greatly respected him professionally and very much liked him personally. Jim was one of my very first clients over 20 years ago when I entered the real estate business. Although I'm sure he suspected that I was a "rookie" at the time, his wise guidance and unwaivering patience in working with me contributed greatly in giving me the confidence to continue to move forward in my real estate career with the F. C. Tucker Company. I also had the pleasure of sharing an evening with him and his wife, Joyce, when we attended a "Symphony Under the Stars" concert together. He was truly a "class act!""
"Joyce, we wish to extend our sympathy to you and your family. We have enjoyed our acquaintances with you and Jim through the years starting with Terry and John playing baseball together when they were just little boys. Terry is now a history professor at Adrian College in Michigan. We were always impressed with Jim's knowledge, his gentle, firm leadership and above all his wonderful sense of humor. Our memories of him are cherished.Lynn and Bill Jackson"
"LPHS class of 1955 and Indiana Univ. class of 1959 - so very, very sorry to learn of classmate Jim Kneisley's demise and our sincere condolences to all his family for the big loss you certainly have had.Over the nearly 60 yrs since high school and 40 years being located in Taylorville, IL, our contacts with Jim were very limited to the few class reunions we both attended. Actually our Lawrence-Kneisley family association dates back 80 years to the occasion in 1929 when my dad, Marshall Lawrence, playing basketball for Hanna High School defeated Jim Kneisley playing for I believe a Union Mills High School in winning the LaPorte County tournament of that 1929 year. I and classmate Jim Kneisley never settled our dispute that my Dad beat his Dad. As I quote Jim exactly saying "that could not be - my Dad's team beat everybody in those days".Joyce, it's readily apparent from the several "guest book" writings we have just read that Jim continued an enormous family loyalty and support attitude as well as the support and teachings of a huge number of acquaintances. We trust this mailing will be passed on to you and, if you kindly would, send us your e-mail and/or home address so that we might correspond another time."