James Peter Mackesey

James Peter Mackesey 82, A Family Man Of his many successes and accomplishments, Jim Mackesey, would consider his greatest source of pride a 56 year marriage to Virginia Lee Kehl Mackesey- also known as "Ginny."  During summer school in 1956, he enjoyed a chance meeting on Bascom Hill on the UW campus with her, a former classmate from Holy Redeemer and the rest is history.  His children and grandchildren were treasured in a similar way as Virginia.  James P. Mackesey was born in Madison, Wisconsin, on January 8, 1932.  He was passionate about his beliefs – church, family, and living a healthy lifestyle.  He was always a great listener with solid advice to offer. Surrounded by family in his home, Jim passed January 23rd peacefully following complications from lymphoma (a battle he had won for 13 ½ years). Following a four year tour in the United States Navy, Jim earned his BBA and MBA in Marketing from the University of Wisconsin, Madison, graduating with honors.  Spanning a 30 year career in sales and marketing, Jim traveled the country and world with IBM, achieving the coveted Golden Circle Award and 100% club on numerous occasions.  The highlight of his career was the opportunity to accept a two year assignment with IBM Asia. Based in Hong Kong, he taught classes on several different topics to sales representatives in 16 different countries. Upon retirement Jim and Ginny returned to Dunwoody where they have resided since 1984. After his retirement from IBM, Jim spent the next 20 years teaching Leadership and Teamwork for PAR Training and his audiences included companies such as Hewlett Packard and of course his “first love IBM” across the entire United States. In retirement he became an award winning realtor in just two years on the job. Jim will be forever remembered as Papa to his devoted grandchildren who spent countless hours on his knee bouncing and snuggling in his chair listening to books and great stories.   His children shared in his passions of golf, fishing and Green Bay Packer football.   He had a soft spot for all of his children and supported them in every endeavor. Inquisitive 24/7, Jim was a lifelong learner. He loved people. He loved long conversations about everything. He loved life.  A passion for fishing and a strong golf game were catalysts for Jim building many enduring friendships. Jim's work ethic, common sense, and integrity were priorities for him to instill in his children.  Jim's lessons will not be forgotten. In Lieu of flowers contributions to the Leukemia & Lymphoma Society or the Cystic Fibrosis Foundation in his name would be deeply appreciated by the family. In addition to his wife Virginia, Jim is survived by his daughters Patti Shaver of Dunwoody, GA, Terri Gustafson of Barrington, IL, Kathi Grumke of Waunakee, WI, Mary Jo Grimm of Madison, WI and his son Tim Mackesey of Dunwoody, GA, his 9 grandchildren and 6 step grandchildren  and his stepbrothers Bud Young , Alan Young and stepsister Nancy Crimmins. He is preceded in death by his mother Katherine Mackesey Young. A funeral mass is scheduled for 1:00 p.m. on Monday January 27th with a reception immediately following at All Saints Catholic Church on Mt. Vernon Rd. in Dunwoody, GA http://www.allsaints.us/ Jim will always and forever be “Only Terrific