James E Dopler

James E. Dopler, Anthem, AZ, passed away on December 24, 2024, after a brief illness. He was born in Davenport, Iowa, on August 9th, 1957.

He was preceded in death by his parents, Muriel J. and Alice M. Dopler, Moline, IL.

Jim attended Sacred Heart School and Coolidge Jr High School in Moline. He was a graduate of Moline High School in 1975. He received two Quill and Scroll Awards for his work on the yearbook and literary magazine.

He graduated from Augustana College, Rock Island, IL. in 1979 with a double major in Accounting and Business Administration. Jim was the recipient of a Moline Daily Dispatch Scholarship to Augustana College, based on his service as a paper carrier. He also received a voice scholarship to study at Augustana College. He was yearbook editor in chief of the Rockety-I his senior year.

Jim began his career in the Accounting and Information Technology department at McDonald's corporate offices in Oak Brook, IL. He was the corporate singles tennis champion in his age group, and the corporate bowling champion.

After several years, he returned to the Quad Cities to work on his MBA at St. Ambrose College, graduating in 1983 with an M.B.A. in Finance.

He returned to Chicago to accept a position with Square D Company, Palatine, IL. in the Financial Systems area. It was at Square D Company that he met his wife, Marilyn Speer. The firm later became Schneider Electric.

His next adventure took him to Abbott Laboratories in the Global Financial Systems area. He spent the next 24 years with Abbott Laboratories and its pharmaceutical spin-off AbbVie, Inc. He and his team supported numerous technical platforms for over 10,000 users around the world. He had the opportunity to travel to Abbott's European operations frequently, helping to roll out new technologies and helping to integrate new corporate acquisitions.

Jim was actively engaged in his wife's real estate business for thirty years. He joined her team as a licensed buyer agent. He also did marketing and managed several of their investment properties.

Jim had a giving heart, and donated thousands of hours to local charities throughout his lifetime.

He was on the Board of St. Vincent DePaul, Lake Zurich, IL. He volunteered weekly serving a hot meal to those in need, as well as at a weekly food pantry. He was also a member of St. Francis de Sales Catholic Church in Lake Zurich, IL.

He was on the Board of the Diaper Bank Partnership of Lake County. The non-profit collected, stored and distributed diapers to families and seniors in need.

At Abbott Labs, he was a management coordinator for United Way, raising corporate donations for charities across Chicagoland.

While in the Chicago area, he volunteered at Barb's Precious Rescue and Adoption Center. He helped with adoptions, writing articles and fund raising.

He was a member of the Rotary Club of Long Grove, Kildeer and Hawthorn Woods. He served in many roles with Rotary including President (2 term), Director, Secretary, Treasurer, Foundation Chair, Foundation Treasurer, Literacy Chair, International Chair, Vocational Chair, Public Image Chair, Community Service Chair, RYLA Chair, and Public Relations Chair.

Jim and his wife were active members of Willow Creek Community Church. They were married at the wedding chapel in 1989. They volunteered weekly at the Food Pantry. They also served as coordinators in the Global Hospitality Ministry. They arranged housing for international clergy attending the Willow Creek Global Summit each year.

After moving from Kildeer, IL to Anthem, AZ, he was a member of the Rotary Club of Anthem. He served as Raffle Coordinator for the Annual Golf Tournament. He was also active with the Ray Norris Youth at Risk program, raising money for homeless youth in our local high schools.

Jim volunteered with Trevor's Vision, in Phoenix, helping to provide a hot meal each week for the homeless. He also volunteered with their bi-weekly mobile shower unit.

Jim volunteered with Anthem Pets, helping them to raise thousands of dollars through raffles he organized and writing grant requests.

Jim had many hobbies including playing guitar, singing, tennis, traveling, photography, and journalism. He loved to visit Rocky Mountain National Park in Colorado, and churches and museums around the world.

Jim wrote more than 100 articles for Chicago area newspapers to publicize the activities of the charities he supported.

Jim is survived by his wife, Marilyn S. Dopler, Anthem, AZ. He also leaves his brother, Thomas E. Dopler (Lois), a niece and nephew, Katherine and Stephen Dopler, Scottsdale, AZ, a brother-in law, Don Speer (Pei-In Yang) Leawood, KS, and a niece, Mindy Speer, St. Joseph, MO.

A Celebration of Life event will be held on Thursday, January 16 at 5 pm at Christ Church of the Valley, at 39905 N Gavilan Peak Pkwy, Anthem AZ 85086. Arrangements are being coordinated by Hansen Mortuaries in Phoenix.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to Anthem Pets, Anthem, AZ, 85086 https://www.anthempets.org/contact/