James Lee Beattie

James Lee Beattie died on Thursday, March 1, at University Hospital from kidney transplant complications. He was 68. Born on November 5, 1943 in St. Johns, Michigan, Jim was a son of Janet (Keeler) and Carl James Beattie. He grew up in Lansing, Michigan, where he excelled as a student-athlete at Eastern High School and was a star member of the basketball team. He graduated from Michigan State University with honors and a degree in history, quickly finding work in sales, where, again, he excelled. By age 32, he was the youngest Vice President at Lear-Siegler Corporation (a company with 40,000 employees). His career included transfers and new opportunities in Alabama, Oklahoma, and Arkansas, but his heart was in Colorado, where he lived and worked for over 20 years and where he retired as Vice President of Sales for PAI Honeywell. In 1965, Jim married Judith Kieft in Spring Lake, Michigan. Judi, the love of his life, predeceased him on August 25, 2009. Their two children, Jeffrey, of Parker, and Jamie (Daniel) Schneider, of Greeley, survive as do his three beloved grandchildren Jeremy, Nicholas and Gracelyn. Jim is also survived by his brothers, Thomas (Muriel) of Oneonta, NY, and Stephen (Joan), of Normal, IL, and by several cousins, nieces and nephews, including Brent and Anne Kieft, who provided loving support during his final illness. His parents, Carl and Janet Beattie, predeceased him. Keenly interested in sports, Jim was an avid Broncos fan who also played a mean game of golf. He had expert knowledge of football, baseball, basketball and golf, able to recall at will statistics, game strategies, famous plays and players. For many years, he held coveted Broncos season tickets and never missed a game, whether live or televised. Above all, Jim was a family man, devoted to his wife, children and grandchildren, supporting and nurturing them at every turn. His most treasured moments were spent with them, and he will be sorely missed by all who knew and loved him. A funeral service to celebrate James’ life will be held at 1:30 p.m. on Thursday, March 8, 2012 at the Hilltop United Church of Christ, 10926 East Democrat Road in Parker. PLEASE NOTE: All are invited to remain at the church for a meal and a time of fellowship immediately following the celebration of Jim's life. Memorial contributions may be made to the National Kidney Foundation in memory of James. Please click here if you would like to be sent directly to the website section to do so or visit kidney.org.

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James Lee Beattie

November 5, 1943 - March 1, 2012