James Ferrill

1933 - 2021

Ferrill, James C.

MADISON/BLUE MOUNDS - Generally quick with a quip, Jim Ferrill had little to say when he met his maker on July 11, 2021. Jim passed away peacefully, with family by his side, at his summer cottage in northern Wisconsin. He was born James Carlisle Ferrill on May 17, 1933, in Madison, the only son of Floyd and Eve (Hoselton) Ferrill. Jim was a 1951 graduate of Madison East High School and a 1955 graduate of the University of Wisconsin-Madison. He was a member of Phi Gamma Delta fraternity, a FIJI. Jim enjoyed a wide range of careers. Early summers were spent with the Madison Industrial Baseball League, then the sports department at the Wisconsin State Journal. He was later a department manager at the former Ohio Medical Products. Jim entered the real estate profession in the early 1970s as a commercial broker and appraiser, working for decades in the Wisconsin Dells area and throughout the Midwest.

On June 23, 1956, Jim married Nancy Steinmetz at Luther Memorial Church in Madison. They were blessed with three children, a son and two daughters. Jim was a very loving father to his children and enjoyed assisting with their activities. Both Jim and Nancy served as presidents of the Madison Speed Skating Club during a period that spawned several Olympic medal winners. In 1994, Jim and Nancy built their dream home, designed by their daughter, Darcy, in Blue Mounds. He thoroughly enjoyed the rural lifestyle, usually surrounded by a bevy of attentive cats. Beautiful evenings were spent sitting on his patio, sampling a local beer, while watching the sun dip over the rolling Wisconsin countryside. Jim and his wife were fortunate to take many fascinating travels overseas. However, his true love was their getaway cottage in northern Wisconsin. Fishing, fires and being with his family made up those days. Decades of watching a sparkling lake, sipping a martini with a cat on his lap, were pure perfection. Jim will be remembered for being incessantly witty and inquisitive. He loved to learn to the very end, soaking up knowledge like a sponge. Always friendly and engaging, he "collected people" and will be dearly missed.

Jim is survived by his son, Cal Ferrill; his daughters, Darcy Ferrill and Victoria (Tom) Ferrill Bennett; and grandsons, TJ Bennett and Drew Bennett. He is further survived by his nephew, George P. (Julia) Steinmetz III; and his niece, Susan (John) Gubner. He was preceded in death by his parents; wife, Nancy; brother-in-law, Dr. George P. Steinmetz Jr.; and sister-in-law, Joyce B. Steinmetz. Jim's family is deeply thankful for the friendship, love and kindness given by Carrie Reese and Kim Arneson-O'Connell. You are both amazing.

He was a lover of sunsets. For Jim, there was nothing better than enjoying a beautiful sunset with family. His favorites were in Blue Mounds, Manitowish Waters and Key West. As befits a lifelong learner, Jim donated his body to the University of Wisconsin for medical research. A private family ceremony will be held. We will meet again to watch those sunsets together, Dad. We love you.