James Felter

James Byron Felter, Jr. Glen Ellyn, IL - James Byron Felter, Jr., loving husband of Susan Bishop Felter for 64 years, died on January 12, 2024 in Glen Ellyn, IL. Son of Anna Elizabeth Leavett and James Byron Felter, Sr..
He is survived by his two children, Jeff and Jody Felter, Jeff's wife Cathy Felter, seven grandchildren; Katherine Riccio, Laurence Scott, Jonathon Felter, Christopher Romano, Michael Felter, Leslie Scott and Jamie Scott, and 9 great grandchildren.
Born in Ellis Hospital in Schenectady, NY on November 12, 1929, he grew up in the neighboring suburb of Scotia, graduating with honors from high school in 1947. During his high school and college years he worked as an actor and sound effects technician on the local General Electric broadcasting stations, WGY radio and WRGB television.
He graduated from Northwestern University's School of Speech in Evanston, Illinois in 1951 with a Bachelor of Science Degree cum laude. Among other activities, he was one of the small group of students who founded Northwestern's radio station, WNUR, in 1950.
During summers he worked as an actor and stage-hand in the Saratoga Springs, NY Summer Theater where he earned membership in Actors' Equity Association.
He was drafted into the U.S. Army in October, 1951, completed his Basic Training at
Camp Breckenridge, KY and graduated from Officers' Candidate School at Ft. Benning, GA as a Second Lieutenant - Infantry in October, 1952. He then served in the U. S. at
Camp Rucker, AL and in Korea with the 24ü1 Infantry Division until November, 1953.
He joined the Publicity Department of WGY-WRGB in Schenectady in 1954 and worked in various marketing assignments for General Electric in Schenectady and Cleveland, OH until 1962.
Then he resigned to join Hill-Rogers-Mason & Scott Advertising in Chicago as Account Executive for the Kitchens of Sara Lee.
In 1964 he was recruited by the Quaker Oats Company in Chicago where he progressed through various assignments, including Managing Director of Quaker Oats, Ltd. in London, England from 1976 - 79.
He retired in Chicago as Group Vice President of US Grocery Product Sales in 1992. Under Quaker's sponsorship, in 1970 he completed the four-month resident Program for Management Development at Harvard Business School where he was President of his class.
After their marriage in Scotia, NY on October 18, 1952 he and his wife, Susan, were both active in community affairs throughout their lives. Among other activities, he served for seven years as a member and President of the Board of Education for School District 102 and as a member of District 204 in the Western suburbs of Chicago. He also served as Director and President of the Royal Poinciana Golf Club in Naples, FL.
Services will be held at White Funeral Home at 264 N. Ballston Ave. in Scotia New York on Saturday, January 20. Visitation will be held from 10 a.m. to 11 a.m. followed by a service at 11 a.m.. To express condolences and for more information, please visit sbfuneralhome.com.