James Peter "Jim" KOELSCH

KOELSCH, James Peter "Jim"

age 67, Seminole, died on Tuesday, June 23, 2015. Jim was born in Minneapolis, MN the son of John and Ramona (McDermott) Koelsch. He is survived by his loving wife of 42 years, Sharon Sue (Gollish) Koelsch; son, Eric William Koelsch, St. Petersburg; and daughter, Rebecca Melodie Thompson (James), Mountain Home, Idaho; and by his brothers, John Michael, Santa Barbara, CA; Thomas, Oldsmar; and Denis, St. Petersburg. He received his B.A. (Economics) and M.B.A. degrees from the University of South Florida. He served for five years in the U.S. Navy as a budget officer on the staff of Admiral Hyman Rickover, Division of Naval Reactors, Atomic Energy Commission, and remained in the Naval Reserve for 19 years, attaining the rank of Captain. Jim received his M.A.I. designation from the Appraisal Institute and in 1984 founded Valuation Services, Inc., a firm that specialized in the appraisal of commercial real estate. He was active in professional, civic, and religious organizations, having served as president of the Kiwanis Club of Midtown, treasurer of the St. Petersburg Area Chamber of Commerce, Chair of the Leadership St. Petersburg Planning Committee, Chair of the Cathedral of St. Jude Finance Council, and member of the St. Petersburg Planning Commission and the Pinellas County Personnel Board. He had several articles on appraising published in professional magazines and received the Paul L. Getting Award, Outstanding Member of the St. Petersburg Area Chamber of Commerce. He enjoyed bicycling, hiking, swimming, crossword puzzles, and his work. During his battle with cancer, he appreciated the incredible love and support of his wife, Sharon, and the support of close friends and family members throughout the ordeal. A funeral mass will be held at his church, Blessed Sacrament Catholic Church, 11565 66th Avenue North, Seminole, FL on Wednesday, July 1, at 2 pm. Friends and family are invited to a reception after the service. In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations in Jim's name to St. Petersburg Catholic High School, St. Petersburg, FL for tuition assistance. Online memorial and guestbook at www.brettfuneralhome.net.