James W. Krass

James Walter Krass, born July 11, 1942, in Chicago, Illinois, died peacefully at home after a brief illness on April 25, 2025. Jim was the loving husband for nearly 60 years of Judith Winters Krass, proud father of Amy (Mariano) Sarullo, John Krass, Brenda (Michael) Fineberg, adoring grandfather of Mariano James, Anthony Walter, and Josephine Christina Sarullo and Stephanie Litzy and Analinda Rae Fineberg. He was preceded in death by his parents, Walter Joseph Krass and Stephanie (Krzyzyk) Krass and brother Phillip Andrew Krass. Jim loved taking his grandchildren for ice cream, listening to music of any kind, rocking in his rocking chair, and designing, building, and fixing just about anything. He was a self-taught craftsman and collector of tools who firmly believed that "if it's worth doing, it's worth over-doing!" Jim was the first in his family to graduate from college, working over 10 years to earn a bachelor's degree from Northwestern University in 1971, then his MBA from the University of Colorado in 1979. He was a dedicated employee of United Airlines/Covia/Apollo Travel Services for 36 years. His career path took him to Littleton, Colorado in 1975. He and his family spent the next 16 years enjoying all that Colorado had to offer while also taking full advantage of Jim's travel benefits. After returning home to Chicago in 1991 and finally retiring in 1998, Jim and Judy made the most of all the perks that come with being an airline retiree. Together, they explored five of seven continents as he frequented countless cruise buffets. For the past 17 years, Jim loved rural life in small-town Rockton, Illinois, watching the corn grow and feeding the birds. Those who knew him best will remember him as a quick-witted, generous, occasionally cynical, but always big-hearted man. He will be missed. Services will be held at St. Bridget Catholic Church, 600 Clifford Ave., Loves Park, Illinois on Friday, May 23, 2025. Visitation will begin at 10 AM before a Mass of Christian Burial at 11 AM. A celebration of life luncheon will follow. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to Tunnel to Towers Foundation.