James A. Kreitz

James (Jim) Allen Kreitz passed peacefully on the morning of October 25th, 2025, exactly two months from the date he lost his loving wife of 60 years, Judith Ann Kreitz, who passed on August 25th, 2025. His return home to Christ has reunited him with Judith and their precious daughter, Kasia, who passed 8 years prior. James is survived by his four sons (daughters-in-law) Thad (Heidi), Kurt (Jennie), Eric (Toni), and Broc (Ashley), and his cherished grandchildren Emma, Lily, Ryne, Ben, Karis, Meredith, Isaiah, Rowan, William, Naomi, and McKenzie.

The late afternoon is chilly, mid-autumn. The wind gusts with a sharp edge that bites at exposed skin, persuading anyone outdoors to find shelter. On the field, a group of awkward teenage boys are playing a disorganized and forgettable freshman football game in a remote Chicago suburb well over an hour away from anything familiar to the visiting team. Players on both sidelines are hopping in place with their arms pulled into their jerseys to manufacture a wisp of warmth. The foreboding aluminum bleachers are as empty as they are frigid, all except for one determined and somewhat delusional individual standing in a top corner, back against the railings, arms crossed and a genuine interest in the happenings on the field that far exceeds any player or coach. This is a prevalent shared memory of our father, demonstrating his fundamental belief that a father should be present in the lives of his children and his grandchildren in all ways possible, regardless of its convenience or discomfort, whether a massive life event or just an opportunity to show love and interest. Our father was always there.

“Family” was our father’s passion and purpose, serving as his life’s impetus from a very early age. In high school he identified his future wife at the age of 16 (our mother was 14) and used his handsome charm (this is well before his grin had lost several teeth and he had to wear rainbow suspenders to keep his sweatpants from dropping to his ankles) to convince this startled young beauty he was worthy. Their path to happiness was not blissful, but hard and obscured. For a time, they were forced to separate, to abide by the expectations of others, but, ultimately, the story of our parents is one of perseverance and rebellion.

Jim and Judy eloped (mama was 19 now) and quickly had a beautiful daughter, Kasia, who was diagnosed with Downs Syndrome. In the face of convention where the institutionalization of special needs children was the common practice, our parents stood brave and prevented anyone from taking their newborn miracle, a moment of irrepressible love and faith that shaped the foundation of everything our family would become. Four insane sons later, our father had the large family he had dreamed of (probably not as much misbehavior in the dream as in reality) to shape his legacy.

Our father’s lessons were simple but profound. Family is everything. Being a husband is to love, protect and serve your wife. Being a father is to be all things necessary to bring health, happiness and success to your children. Accept sacrifice and forfeit self-interest. Hold fast.

Our father’s affection for his daughters-in-law and the mothers of his grandchildren ran at depth, as did his admiration for the immense charity they showed in marrying his sons (“They did something right!”). His laugh was infectious, and he loved to tease. To witness him diminish himself to play the fool with his daughter and grandchildren was priceless and a clear demonstration that he was willing “to be all things necessary to bring happiness”.

Our family formed strong bonds through sports, especially football and the Special Olympics. He was an amazing athlete, an All-American linebacker in college and then a professional player with the Miami Dolphins. He projected immense outward strength but possessed sincere heartfelt warmth and compassion. As a large man, his presence was imposing, but he worried, and that worry made him extremely protective of all those he loved. Whether finishing a fight that his little brother, Donald Jr., started on the playground, bulldozing his way through a mass of unsuspecting parade goers to pull his ill son away from a hoard of drunks, cornering a trembling doctor who was unwilling to give his suffering mother pain medication, or nearly getting arrested at the age of 80 when a hospital refused to allow our vulnerable mother to stay overnight, our father never stepped back. He stood and fought for those he loved, always.

Most important of all our father’s accomplishments was that he recognized that our mother was an angel, and that her heart and relationship with Christ would require his sacrifice and understanding. Our father helped create a stable home where love was the foundation of everything, one that was opened to friends and strangers in need, to countless stray animals and, in one of the most cherished moments of his later life, to the daughters of a nephew in need of safe refuge.

Our father’s passing was a pure expression of his immense love and devotion to our mother. From the moment our mother found peace, our father rested. The purpose that had sustained him through the ravages of time and disease over these past few years had now abated, and was immediately replaced with an empowering sense of resignation that allowed him to fully commit his spirit to the Lord’s will. He sought no treatment for his illnesses, he sought no vigil for his sorrow, he simply sought the same peace that would reunite him with his beloved and their precious daughter. After visiting with his children, his grandchildren, and his sister Candy, our father closed his eyes and, with a full heart, found the gentle embrace of our Lord. His irrepressible dedication to his family defines his legacy, and the bravery he demonstrated over the weeks since mother’s passing was a profound declaration that love and faith provide shelter against the biting wind. Praise be to God.

Our father’s legacy is obvious. It’s in the respect, reverence and companionship we share with our wives, in the presence we show in our children’s lives, in the stability of the homes we provide, in the faith and reliance we have on each other, in the impulse to protect those we love and in our willingness to laugh, especially at ourselves. It is a legacy that we are so very proud to be a part of and so very honored to carry on.

James is also survived by his beloved sister Candy Bockus and sister-in-law Sue Kreitz, his brothers-in-law Robert Bockus and Don White, and many nieces and nephews.

James was preceded in death by his wife, Judith, his daughter, Kasia, parents Donald and Margerie Kreitz, brother Donald Kreitz Jr., in-law parents Roy and Gertrude Brown, sisters-in-law Carole Michels, Joan McCue and Jean White.

In lieu of flowers or gifts, please consider donating to either St. Jude’s Children’s Hospital https://www.stjude.org/donate/donate-to-st-jude.html or to the Special Olympics https://support.specialolympics.org/a/give-in-your-state.