James Clark Batts, loving husband and beloved father of three children, was born on June 1, 1941. He attended Proviso East High School and received his bachelors and masters degrees from Drake and Northwestern University, respectively. On June 7, 1969, he married the love of his life, his Karen. They raised two sons, Erik and Christopher, and one daughter, Allyson.
James devoted his professional life to teaching speech, theatre, and English, beginning his career at Rich East High School before spending the bulk of it at Niles West High School in Skokie, Illinois. James also served as a trustee to the Village of Kildeer, Illinois and was a fixture of local Chicagoland theater, most proud of his role in the play JB.
His passionate pursuit of education and learning neither started nor ended with his formal schooling or pedagogy— James was a life-long student and prolific poet, his many poems and underlined texts being a testament to his great faith and abiding intellectual fervor and curiosity.
He was a teacher, a true friend to all living creatures big and small, a gifted performer, a fellow of infinite jest and most excellent fancy, a student, a father, a loving husband, a doting grandfather, and everything in between. One man, in his time, plays many parts. With all in his life, including his animals, he shared his love, wisdom, compassion, charm, sly wit, and genuine enthusiasm openly and generously.
James was a man of true and unwavering faith who knew, better than most, that there is indeed a special providence even in the fall of a sparrow. He is survived by his wife, children, and grandchildren and is reunited with his dear parents and siblings, passing through nature to eternity, to dwell in the house of the Lord forever. Until we meet again: farewell. Adieu.
A funeral service for James will be held Sunday, July 25, 2021 from 1:00 PM to 2:00 PM at Serenity Funeral Home, 13401 Indian Rocks Road, Largo, FL 33774.
To view James services via livestream, please click on the link below:
https://zoom.us/j/97974949765?pwd=ZjFHOGZ6dkprWUp1WW9HQm5UQmxCdz09
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