James W. Jake

James Walter Jake was born in Kenosha on September 22, 1941. Jim attended local schools and graduated from Bradford High School in 1959.  At Bradford, Jim met the love of his life, Carol Reiser. They married on May 7, 1960 and raised 3 boys; Ron (Stoughton), Robert (Kenosha), and Micheal (Pleasant Prairie). 

 Jim was baptized at St Nicholas Orthodox Church to parents who are from what is now Belarus. Jim was raised in a Polish neighborhood on the northside of Kenosha. His family identified as Polish. He spent his youth fishing, hunting and exploring the Pike River, Lake Michigan and ice skating at Lincoln and Roosevelt Parks.  At 19, Jim took up skiing, a sport that would make a huge impact on his legacy.

Jim created the Royal Christie Ski Club in  the late 60s. The club provided bus transportation and lessons for young skiers between Racine and Libertyville Illinois.  At times, the club would bring 200+ young skiers to ski hills on Saturdays. The club evolved into a ski travel business.  Jim would lead large groups of skiers on trips to the U.P., and dozens of ski resorts in the Western US, Canada and Europe.  Jim was the “Pied Piper” of local skiers.  

Jim worked at MacWhyte and Johnson Motors while taking business classes at Gateway.  In 1972, Jim and Carol opened the Ski & Sport Chalet, a successful sporting goods store in Kenosha’s harborside neighborhood. Through the shop, he made hundreds of friends and thousands of acquaintances, After 45 years, Jim and Carol retired in 2017.

Soon after retirement, Jim and Carol purchased a summer home in Sturgeon Bay. They loved summers in Door County, hanging out on the porch and talking to the neighbors who walked by.  Jim’s gift of gab was his defining quality. He was comfortable talking to anyone, anywhere.  He made friends instantly, loved to socialize and treated all people with kindness and respect.

Jim is survived by his 3 sons, and 5 grandchildren; Hannah, Lauren, Ivan, Eliza, and Cristina.   

A celebration of life ceremony will be held on Thursday October 1 at the Kemper Center.  Visitation will begin at 1:00 PM and the service will begin at 2:30.   Details regarding a reception will be shared at the ceremony.

Casey Family Options Funerals & Cremations

3016 75^th Street Kenosha WI 53142

262-653-0667

www.caseyfamilyoptions.com