James Ashley Waring

James Ashley Waring, 56, of Libertyville, IL, passed away peacefully at 1:36 a.m. on October 29, 2023. He is survived by his daughter, Madeleine Waring, and son-In-Law, Jack McIlvain of Kyle, Texas, and son, Sam Waring of Tampa, Florida. He is also survived by his parents, William and Julie Waring of Scottsdale, Arizona and dogs, Tuxedo Larry, Oakley and grand doggie, Goober.
Jim graduated from Libertyville High School (LHS) in 1985. "I have wonderful childhood memories spending time with him. He certainly was a talented and amazing person," said his cousin Lyndall Ross Naumann of German Town, WI. He was well known at school as an excellent drummer, winning the Battle of the Bands with the infamous band, Savage. More recently he played with the band, Taking A Leak, in Interlaken Meadows and continued the tradition in a recent tour in the summer of 2022 with the band, Covered in Cash. "I enjoyed every second I got to talk, play music and laugh with him," said guitarist for Taking A Leak, Mike Sharkey of Algonquin, IL.
Following graduation, he went on to Southern Illinois University (SIU) in Carbondale, IL. He was the fourth generation of Warings to do so. He loved tooling around campus in his beloved Fiat Spyder convertible. He also loved flying RC airplanes and collecting and restoring Lionel post-war trains. Following graduation from SIU, he began his career in toy design and then transitioned into product design/industrial engineering.
Following in the tradition of MacGyver, he was wildly creative and an amazing problem solver creating/co-creating with his design partner, Tai Matlin of Round Lake, IL. "Jim made everyone feel like they were his best friend," said Tai, "And that is certainly how I felt whenever I talked with him." You might remember a few of the many successful products like the Swim Ways Spring Float, Vac Man (Stretch Armstrong's nemesis) and The Luminator light up football. "When I think of Jim, I think he was blessed with a creative mind. He was a great drummer and had an adventurous spirit. He was a loving and devoted father and a man of God who was very kind. He was a great friend who I will miss dearly," said Patty DeLozier of Mundelein, IL.
He was also a fantastic father to Sam and Maddie, "2nd daughter," Cassie Peterinilli of Park City, Utah, and father-in-law to Jack. "Jim was like a second dad to me. I'm lucky to have had the chance to know him," Cassie said, "he will be missed by me and so many others." He really enjoyed helping Sam with cool projects like building go carts, restoring and customizing a 2008 Mustang and building a custom Harley Sportster. "He made me the mechanically inclined man I am today," said Sam. Jim and Maddie made better school projects than anyone else around with an entire machine shop at their disposal. "He also taught me how to install crown molding and do various house projects, said Maddie, "and he made great beanie weenies." Having just purchased his own motorcycle, Jack adds, "He was a fantastic father-figure. It was like having my own personal shop teacher, learning how to replace the breaks on the BMW and helping to build the Harley Sportster." Christine Waring of Baltimore, MD adds, "Jim was a warm, kind and loving man and he was a wonderful partner to have raised such amazing children with." Marina P. Benner of Hunt Valley, MD said, "Jim was a great dad. He was always so hands-on and so very affectionate. You and Maddie were so very blessed to have him for the time that you did."
"He was a beloved son-in-law," said Art and Sandi Meikel of Nine Mile Falls, WA. "I loved him more than words can say," Leslie Manion of Carbondale, IL once said, "He is an amazing son-in-law." Bob Kehoe of Schaumburg, IL said, "He was a great guy, husband and dad." "What a wonderful man," said Nancy Knight of Palms Springs, CA. Phil DeFrancisco of Wheeling, IL said, "Your family were wonderful next-door neighbors, and he was a great man."
There will be a memorial service from 1:00 – 2:30 p.m. on Saturday, November 4, 2023 at Grace Lutheran Church. If anyone would like to send flowers, please send them to the Church at 501 Valley Park Drive, Libertyville, IL 60048 to be delivered before 2 p.m. on Friday, Nov. 3rd and labeled clearly as there is another service that Friday. Or a donation can be made to Grace Lutheran as they are making their space more accessible for those parishioners with physical restrictions.
Written by Christine Waring