James John Jajewski
James John Jajewski, age 88, passed away March 9, 2023, in Troutdale, OR. Jim was born in Stevens Point, WI, on August 11, 1934, to Martin and Katherine Jajewski. He graduated from P.J. Jacob’s high school in Stevens Point and pursued continuing education and certifications later in his career.
Jim married Dorothy Redding on November 22, 1958, at St. Peter’s Catholic Church in Stevens Point, WI. Jim and Dorothy raised a family of six children in Stevens Point until moving to Markesan, WI in 1989. In 2005 they moved to Ripon, WI and remained until Dorothy’s passing in 2017.
An outgoing, hard-working, and gregarious personality led Jim to pursue a variety of professions throughout his life. Jim proudly served in the U.S. Army for nine years and worked for the Soo Line Railroad. Jim spent most of his career as a beer distributor and owner of Jay’s Distributing in Stevens Point, WI. After selling his beer-distributing business, Jim pursued other work interests including: real estate broker, Green Lake County zoning administrator, soil tester, building inspector, and school bus driver. Jim was an American Red Cross blood donor for years, active member in the local Kiwanis club, and contributed many volunteer hours to Kiwanis events.
His sense of humor was known by all who spent time with him. Jim loved to tell exaggerated stories, much to the exasperation of people in his life who heard them over and over. Jim was a loving, supportive, and caring husband, father, and grandfather. His joyful grin, smile, and laugh will be missed.
Jim enjoyed spending time with family camping at Crystal Lake and sitting around the campfire. Dorothy and Jim transitioned from camping to cottage life in Winter, WI where he enjoyed cigars “to keep the mosquitoes away,” woodworking, fishing, and picking wild blueberries with the family dachshund. In later years, Jim and Dorothy would take road trips to visit their children and grandchildren across the country.
Jim was preceded in death by his parents, Martin and Katherine, sisters Gerry and Ruth Ann, brother Bill, wife Dorothy, and son Michael. He is survived by brother Tom; sons David, Bob, John, Jim; daughter Susan; and grandchildren Jack, Ellie, Anna, Bradley, Rachel, Colleen, Daniel, Alex, and Brett.
Memorial donations in Jim’s honor may be made to American Red Cross at https://www.redcross.org/donate/memorial-donations.html/ or 1-800-435-7669.