Jimmy Gemmell

James “Jimmy” Gemmell was carefree and lighthearted, good-humored and talkative. He was well-liked and could strike up a conversation with nearly anyone. He was passionate about his interests and pursued them relentlessly. Always in a good mood and never seeming to worry, Jimmy lived an untroubled life, almost to a fault. Big-hearted and open-handed, he trusted people around him, even if undeserved. Yet he considered others worthy of his attention and kindness and gave them the respect every human deserves.

Jimmy’s story began during a decade of prosperity and disparity. Growing families worked to make the American Dream a reality, and the civil rights movement became a dramatic force in U.S. history. James was born June 16, 1954 to Alexander “Sandy” and Mary Anne Gemmell in Evergreen Park, Illinois. He was the second of four children, including Sandra, William and Robert, who grew up in Chicago and Calumet City. To support the family, their father painted homes and hung wall paper while their mother worked as a sales clerk at Sears for many years. Both parents had their hands full with Jimmy and all his antics.

Rough-and-tumble Jimmy was the kind of child who attracted dirt. White shoes instantly turned grey with grime. Every puddle and pile of leaves became an open invitation for him to jump into, and he frequently came home covered in mud and debris from head to toe. Quite naturally, he gravitated to football and hockey and competed on teams in high school and beyond. Jimmy graduated from Thornridge High School in Dolton, Illinois with the class of 1972.

When he was young, Jimmy’s love for water skiing was so extreme he went camping and water skiing every weekend in the summer. He skied in an annual show at LaPorte, Indiana’s Ski Club. Not surprisingly, rugged Jimmy and his sister and brothers performed as pirates.

Jimmy’s ten-year marriage to Charlene (beginning 1975) brought him the joy of three daughters: Jessica, JoElle and Jamie. Insisting on help from his girls, Jimmy could lay out a pretty good feast for mealtime: mashed potatoes and gravy, ribs, ham and many varieties of soup. He liked to cook, especially with beer. In truth, every recipe had beer in it, and if there was a book to be written—100 Ways to Cook with Beer—Jimmy could have authored it.

If he wasn’t playing sports, Jimmy was watching it. He was a fan of the Chicago Blackhawks, Chicago Bears, NASCAR racing and driver Jimmy Johnson. Like most baby-boomers, he grew up on rock music, but he also listened to country. He watched Texas Ranger, Wheel of Fortune and Andy of Mayberry in a throwback to an earlier time when life seemed relaxed, like Jimmy.

Jimmy’s easy-going nature made him a friend of children, in part because they knew he always had candy for them. He was generous with everyone. Even though he had very little, he shared what he had with others. Often that meant he could be taken advantage of, but a big heart can absorb a lot of ill will.

Being a longtime member of the Moose Lodge, Jimmy had a vested interest in keeping it up to snuff. He liked the activity and so he kept the place clean. Anyone walking into the lodge could tell Jimmy had cleaned the floors because the room smelled of bleach.

For most of his life, Jimmy was self-employed, installing residential and commercial floor covering. That work took its toll on his knees and back, and he had to quit 20 years ago. He held down other jobs, and most recently he was delivering phone books and helping keep the distribution records. However, not being able to work in the capacity that he had in the past, Jimmy was supported through disability and lived on his own. He died at home in his apartment.

Jimmy’s friends and family will miss his gentle ways, giving attitude and cheerful personality.

James “Jimmy” Gemmell was preceded in death by a brother, Robert Gemmell. He is survived by his parents, Sandy and Mary Anne Gemmell; 3 daughters: Jessica (Michael) Orr, JoElle (Robert) Churchhill and Jamie (Anthony) Azcona; 3 grandchildren: Jace Churchill, Victoria Head and Abby Orr; sister: Sandra (Stephen) Kinney; brother: William (Gail) Gemmell and their 4 children: William, Daniel, Amanda and Elizabeth

In honor of Jimmy, donors may give memorial gifts to the American Heart Association.