James R. "Jim" Renner

In Loving Memory of James R. “Jim” Renner

September 27, 1938 – September 16, 2024

James (“Jim”) Robert Renner was the youngest child born to Thelma and Robert Renner on September 27, 1938 in Portland, Oregon, both preceded him in death. His two sisters Mary L. Cohen and Velma I. Deskines and his niece, Debbie Deskines Hutchinson Paulson, daughter of Velma have all preceded him in death.

Jim Renner’s marriage to his high school sweetheart Theda M. (Davis) Renner resulted in the birth of his four biological children, Stephanie A. (Michael) Myers, Roy Robert (Celia) Renner, Richard (Kim) Renner, and James R. (Melissa) Renner. He is survived by his 10 grandchildren from that marriage. They are Zachary Myers; Mitch (Shelby) Myers; Megan (Brian) Burke; and Brady, Justin and Kaylie Renner; Cierra (Andrew) Perry; Isabella (Jackson) Pritchard; Alex (Tori) Renner; and Kyra (Noah) Strnad. He is survived by his four children and his ten grand-children. He is also survived by eight great-grandchildren, Jameson and Bexley Burke, Hadley and Rilyn Myers, Ava and Abigale Renner, Ryder Strnad, and Callahan Pritchard. 

Jim Renner proudly served the United States Armed Forces from 1958 until December 1963 and attained the rank of Staff Sargeant (E6). He served our country during the Vietnam war, went on to get his Master’s degree at Princeton University after attending Linfield College, and graduated from Taft High School, Class of 1956.

He had a brilliant career in sales management at Familian Northwest in Portland, Oregon, retiring in December, 2000. He was included in the 1994/1995 Who’s Who Worldwide Registry of Business Leaders for his outstanding leadership in his occupation. He was extremely proud of all his accomplishments in the success of Familian Northwest and his own contributions while managing the Wholesale Plumbing and Distribution end of the business.

When he retired in December, 2000, he moved to Chicago, Illinois and married Carole LaSota in 2005 who previously had three children who were all young adults at that time, Robin, Richard and Ryan LaSota. He loved Carole, and being part of the family and lives and welcomed by the entire Lasota /Golik families.

From Richard (Mary) LaSota, he has grandchildren, Bridget, Bryanne and Brady. From Ryan (Jill) LaSota, his grandchildren are Tyler and Drew. He has displayed much pride in having 15 grandchildren.

He has loved being a part of celebrations, such as Brady Renner’s First Communion, the birth of Isabella Renner, Brady and Justin’s Graduation with Kaylie graduating from 8th grade, and Cierra’s graduation. He enjoyed Kyra’s wedding and more visits to Rick and Kim’s Church on more visits with family over the years, and the weddings of Richard to Mary Senne and Ryan to Jill Heintz. He shared visits with Robin and her partner, Jeffrey Randall, in Champaign, Illinois, and also with Bob and Linda Lasota in Alabama. Through his relationship with Carole, he celebrated the births of five more grandchildren and attended many baseball games, birthdays, baptisms, sports and theater events, too countless to mention them all individually. 

His life has been full of community service both in Portland, Oregon, where he supported the National Guard and Reserve Forces and more, and life in Chicago, Illinois where he served as adjutant in the Morton Grove American Legion, lending his support to the annual “FOR THE CHILDREN” Hand Car Races with his wife Carole while she was employed by the Union Pacific Railroad and enjoying the CNW Veteran’s Organization annually since 2007, when Carole retired from the Union Pacific Railroad. He learned to square dance and was proud to be a member of the Flying Squares as Co-Banner Chairman. He belonged to the Glenview Square Dance Clubs for many years. He led a full and productive life and enjoyed many friendships throughout his life from Portland, Oregon; Chicago, Illinois; Leesburg and Lady Lake, Florida; and Williams Bay, Wisconsin. Since 2009, he lived in Williams Bay, Wisconsin as a primary residence, and came finally to rest there on September 16, 2024. 

He was loved by many and will be missed. Rest in Peace now, Jim.