James Lullie

James (Jim) Lullie passed away March 6th, 2025 surrounded by his loving family. He was born in 1945 in the Chicago Suburbs. Jim is survived by his current wife, Debra with sons, Ted Nichols (Julie) of Phoenix and Jessie Nichols (Ashley) of Omaha; former spouse Peggy Lullie of Albuquerque with son Richard Lullie of Phoenix and daughter Samantha Lullie of Florida; 11 Grand children and 7 Great Grand children; his brother Anthony Lullie (Margaret) of Georgia; sister-in-law Mary Lullie of Illinois and sister-in-law Lisa Paladino of Nebraska.

He is preceded in death by his parents Mike & Mollie Lullie, brother Michael Lullie (Mary), his sister and brother-in-law Gene & Rose Termini, his brother-in-law Dave Paladino (Lisa), his son Timothy Nichols, and his beloved grandson Bear Nichols.

Jim graduated in 1973 from Florida Atlantic University with a Bachelor of Arts in Education. He served our Country in the Air Force for four years. He found his way into the insurance business which became his primary profession until he retired.

Jim was a good athlete and participated in high school sports at St. Edwards earning starting positions on both the football and basketball teams all 4 years. As an adult he joined a 16” softball Elgin City League Team in the 1970’s with his high school friends, called “The Raccoons.”. He played first base and was known as “Deep Scoop,” because of his skill at digging low throws out of the the dirt. In the four years he played with the Raccoons they won 3 championships. Jim also loved golf and made many lifetime friends on the golf course.

He was a life long teacher. Jim returned to St. Edwards High School in Elgin after the Air Force and taught high school for one year. He also taught little league with his brother Mike in Elgin. He wrote and produced an underwriting training manual for Insurance Customer Service Representatives that was used countywide by his employer Kemper Insurance. The manual was ultimately approved by several state Insurance Departments for Agency Continuing Education licensing requirements. Every time the manual was used Jim was paid a stipend. He taught Defensive Driving classes for awhile. And most recently he was working as a driving instructor with young adults providing hands on training in a vehicle.

Jim’s greatest loves beyond his wife and family include Notre Dame Fighting Irish Football, the White Sox when they were winning, world history, golf, reading, writing short stories (some of which were published), and his beloved puppy children Peanut, Peaches, and Milo-all 3 waiting for him at the Rainbow Bridge. Jim also became interested in Photography later in life with a focus on nature, animals and all things New Mexico.

Jim and Debra loved to travel and have visited 23 states, the District of Columbia, 37 National Parks and 5 countries with Jim taking pictures along the way.

But mostly Jim loved to laugh and engage with people. He loved to tell a good joke, tease you in some way, or shoot off a one-liner just to see you smile. He watched The Three Stooges and Honeymooners endlessly laughing like he had never seen the episode before, yet he knew most lines by heart. He often embarrassed his wife by stopping total strangers to quickly chat with them about the Notre Dame hat or jacket they had on. If he was waiting in a long line he would turn and find something to talk about and engage the people around him. He loved to holler FooooOOOOoooOOds when he decided it was time to eat. He always said, “ Why would I exercise? I got all the exercise I ever needed playing sports at St. Eddie’s!!” He told babies, young child, and his granddaughters - “If you get any cuter, I will punch you in the face!”

Since his cancer diagnosis in 2018, Jim had to focus more and more on his personal health. He had days that were hard, but he always rallied, kept his attitude positive and focused on his blessings. He often said to Debra - Be joyful with me!

Streaming will be available for the Funeral Memorial 03/13/2025, through this site, the link will be live day of.