James Joseph Shanley

1961 - 2023

James Joseph Shanley
July 23, 1961 - February 15, 2023
Morro Bay, California - James J. Shanley, 61, of Morro Bay, California, died tragically in a swimming accident while on vacation in Costa Rica on February 15, 2023. He was born on July 23, 1961 in Streator, Illinois, the son of John F. (Jack) Shanley and Patricia (Brennan) Shanley. Jim graduated from Rockford Boylan High School in 1979 and The University of Illinois Champaign in 1983. He started his very successful business career at the Chicago Board of Trade, then moved on to California based JD Heiskell and Co., one of the nation's largest trading and livestock feed providers. In the late 90s, Jim embarked on a second career. After leaving JD Heiskell, he purchased agricultural land in Visalia, CA, and Morro Bay, CA, and started what was to become Shanley Farms. Here he began growing citrus fruit and avocados. He later added exotic fruit to the mix, not only becoming the largest producer of finger limes in North America, but also one of the preeminent growers of avocados.
It was also about this time, August 8, 1998, that Jim married Melinda (Mendy) Leach. They spent many memorable and happy years raising two wonderful daughters, Megan and Rachelle, while building a beautiful life on their mountaintop in Morro Bay. Regrettably, in late January of 2019 Mendy passed after a courageous battle with early onset Alzheimer's. Along with Mendy, Jim was predeceased by his parents, Jack and Pat.
He is survived by two amazing daughters, Rachelle (Tommy) Witt, and Megan (Justin) Warren, along with seven delightful grandchildren, James, Jack, Sterling, Theo, Annabeth, Melinda, and Johnny. He is also survived by five siblings, Jeff (Nancy) Shanley, Sue (Marty) Pravidica, Barb Shanley, Mary Shanley (Chris Bronny), and Mike (Linda) Shanley. He was also the favorite uncle to his nieces and nephews: John, Conor, Ryan, Eric, Josh, Lindsay, Jack, Shannon, and Patrick.
Jim was a lifelong Green Bay Packers fan, and an avid follower of the Fighting Illini. He was also a gourmet cook and a lover of music, golf and dogs. If Jim came to your house and you had a dog, by the time he left your dog liked him more than you. He enjoyed traveling, having been to Europe numerous times, Australia, New Zealand, Hawaii, Alaska, and just about anywhere else in North America you can imagine. For those who had the opportunity to visit Jim in Morro Bay, you will, no doubt, have gone "fishing" with him at Dockside. In the end, if it was fun and involved being with other people, Jim was in. He was a kind, generous, compassionate and loving soul and he will be deeply missed by all.
There will be a celebration of life on March 11th from 1-3 p.m. at Dairy Creek Golf Course in San Luis Obispo, CA. In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to the James W. Brabeck Youth Legacy Fund.