Date : 16 May 2014
Location : St. Mary's Cemetery, Burlington, WI
James C. McCourt, 88, Burlington, died peacefully, May 10, 2014, surrounded by his loving children at Aurora Memorial Hospital of Burlington.
He was born in Burlington on Sept. 5, 1925, in Burlington, to the late Charles L. and Laura (Busch) McCourt. Living the majority of his life in the city he loved, he attended St. Mary's Grade School and graduated from St. Mary's High School, class of 1943.
After high school he joined the U.S. Army Air Corps Flying Cadet program, was commissioned as a navigator, honorably discharged in January of 1946, enrolled in the University of Wisconsin and graduated with a Bachelor of Science degree in Business Administration, June of 1949.
On June 21, 1949, he married his high school classmate, Jane Elizabeth Daniels, daughter of Lawrence and Florence Daniels of Kansasville, at the bride's parish, St. Mary Church, Dover.
He spent his working life in sales and retired as Vice President of Sales for Matarah Industries in Milwaukee. A lifetime member of St. Mary's Parish, Burlington, Jim lived a life loyal to and in service of his church and community. He was the developer of and program director for the hot lunch program at St. Mary's Grade and High schools for 38 years. He was also a member of the Catholic Central Roundtable, and former member of the St. Mary High School Athletic Association.
As a lifetime member of the Burlington Lions Club, he achieved 55 years of perfect attendance, served as Past President, and was the recipient of the Melvin Jones Fellowship Award, was an original Lions Club parade clown and could be seen driving in the Lions Club stock car races. He also was a driver for the Lion Club Eye Bank.
He served as a Burlington City Alderman for 30 years and was a member of American Legion Post 79. In November of 2012, he was fortunate to be able to go on an Honor Flight to see the National WWII Memorial in Washington, D.C.
In his younger days Jim was an Eagle Scout, participated in Badger Boys State, and enjoyed stock car racing. He made it known, his true pride and joy was his family. He loved spending time with his children, grandchildren and great-grandchildren. His conversations around the kitchen table will truly be missed.
Survivors include his wife of 65 years; children, Maureen 'Moe' (Forrest) George, Burlington, Michael (Debi) McCourt, Sussex, Jim (Terri) McCourt, Shawnee, Kan., Margaret (Wil) Paulson, Burlington, Kathleen (Marvin) Daniels, Appleton, Tim (Barb) McCourt, Burlington; grandchildren, Mark (Ramona) Campbell, Eric Campbell, Kelsey (Matthew) Madges, Shannon (Jason) Grundel, Jamie (Molly) McCourt, Calin McCourt, Ryan McCourt, Billy (Sara) Paulson, Ben Paulson (fiancée Hanna Laux), Jonathan (Heather) Daniels, Andrew (Marika) Daniels, Thomas Daniels, Matthew Daniels, Michael Daniels, Nathan McCourt, Nolan McCourt, Nicole McCourt, Natalie McCourt, Neal McCourt, Noah McCourt, Nora McCourt; great-grandchildren, Zachary and Rebecca Campbell, Harper and Michael Madges, Billy Paulson and one on the way; brother, Art McCourt, Lake Geneva; sister, Kathleen (Richard) McCarthy, Gleason; sister-in-law, Helen Miller, Kansasville; brother-in-law, John 'Jack' Daniels, Walworth; and a boatload of nieces, nephews, other relatives and friends.
He was further preceded in death by his sister, Rosemary (George) Granger; brother, Jack (Marilyn) McCourt; mother-in-law and father-in-law; in-laws, Bob and Jeanne Daniels, Glenn Miller, Ray and Ruth Kalbas and Kay Daniels; nieces and nephews, Johnny Daniels, Jeff Granger, BJ Miller Giudici and Barbara Soderberg.
Memorials may be made to St. Mary's Grade School or Catholic Central High School, or Wisconsin Lions Eye Camp, 3834 County Road A, Rosholt, WI 54473.
Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated Friday, May 16, at 10 a.m., at St. Mary's Catholic Church with the Rev. Jim Volkert presiding. Burial will follow Mass in St. Mary Cemetery. Visitation is at Schuette-Daniels Funeral Home, 625 Browns Lake Drive, Burlington, Thursday, May 15, from 4-8 p.m., with a prayer vigil at 7:30 p.m.
The family would like to thank the staff at Arbor View, the Burlington Rescue Squad, the Emergency Room, Urology, and ICU staff at Aurora Memorial Hospital of Burlington, Aurora VNA Hospice, and especially Dr. Paul Webber for their care and compassion during this time.
Well-wishers can visit www.danielsfamilyfuneral.com.
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