James Andrew Ebbesen

1923 - 2017

James Andrew Ebbesen

Born: April 20, 1923; in DeKalb, IL

Died: April 12, 2017; in Naperville, IL

Dr. James Andrew Ebbesen, Ed.D, age 93, was born on April 20, 1923 at St. Mary Hospital in DeKalb, IL to Maynard Ebbe and Kathryn Louise (nee Concidine) Ebbesen. He married Dolores "Lorie" Evelyn Drendel on December 27, 1947 at SS Peter & Paul Catholic Church in Naperville, IL.

James passed away peacefully on April 12, 2017 at Seasons Hospice in Naperville, IL.

He is survived by his beloved wife of nearly 70 years, Lorie; his sons, J. Michael (Shirley) Ebbesen of Dallas, TX and Jeffrey Paul (Connie) Ebbesen of Northglenn, CO; his daughters, Laurie Beth (Vic Koenig) Ebbesen of Seattle, WA and Mary Louise (James) Davis of Wheaton, IL; his grandchildren, Chris (Diana) and Tom (Alannah) Ebbesen, Paul and Hayley Koenig, Lindsey Davis and Kelsey (Jeff) Reich, Michael (Gina) Grasman; Phil, Kim Marie, and Pat Ebbesen; four great-grandchildren; his sisters, Alyce (Charles)Cook, Faith (Donald) Cook; and sister-in-law, Janice Ebbesen; as well as numerous nieces and nephews.

He was preceded in death by his daughter, Kim Marie Ebbesen; his parents and stepmother, Elsie (nee Bass) Ebbesen; infant sisters, Mary Louise and Rose Marie Ebbesen; his brothers, Robert Perry Ebbesen and Dr. Joseph Ebbesen; his paternal grandparents, Andrew and Anne (nee Wilde) Ebbesen and maternal grandparents, James Wesley and Mary Lucy (nee Lyons) Concidine.

Jim graduated from DeKalb Township High School, Class of 1941. He received his Bachelors Degree, a sixth year Certificate of Advanced Study and his Doctorate from Northern Illinois University. He also earned a Masters Degree from the University of Illinois, Urbana. Jim served as a high school teacher, administrator, and a varsity football and basketball coach in Des Moines, IA from 1950-1956. He also served as an elementary and junior high school teacher in DeKalb from 1956-1961, and as an elementary school principal in Flossmoor, IL from 1961-1967. He served as the Associate Superintendent of Schools in DeKalb from 1967-1981 and taught graduate classes at NIU. He was a life member of the National Education Assoc., the American Assoc. of School Administrators, the University of Illinois Alumni Assoc., the Northern Illinois University Alumni Assoc, and the State of Illinois Retired Teacher's Assoc.

Following his retirement in 1981, Jim was employed by First National Bank in DeKalb as a Financial Services Officer until 1988. He was a member of the American Legion, Veteran of Foreign Wars, and a life member of the Marine Corps League. Jim was a former member of the Elks Lodge in DeKalb, as well as Phi Delta Kappa, Phi Epsilon Kappa, Phi Sigma Epsilon, and St. Mary's Church of DeKalb.

Jim proudly served in the U.S. Marine Corps during WWII, entering services in April 1942. He was honorably discharged in February 1946, following service in the South Pacific as a Sergeant Major of Marine Aircraft Group 11.

For those who would like to leave a lasting tribute to Jim's life, memorials may be directed to Wounded Warriors.

Services are being planned and will take place in Naperville, IL in the Summer of 2017.

Friedrich-Jones Funeral Home &Cremation Services, Naperville was entrusted with arrangements.

For information please call 630/355-0213 or visit www.friedrich-jones.com