James Rumsa

James "Jim" Rumsa, 94, of Algonquin, passed away peacefully, surrounded by family, on Thursday, August 29, 2024.

Jim was born on July 1, 1930 in Waukegan to Frank and Anna (Vasilius) Rumsa. He graduated from Waukegan HS in 1948. He attended Marquette University and transferred to Northern Illinois University, majoring in social studies education. He worked at radio station WLBK and NIU's FM station as a sports announcer. He was drafted into the US Army and served in the Instructional Unit at Fort Knox, KY. He married Phyllis Bender in June 1955, the same month he graduated from NIU. He worked as a teacher and coach in Three Oaks, MI through 1960. He began his tenure in District 300 in Carpentersville in 1961. Over the years, he worked as a social studies teacher, guidance counselor, basketball and baseball coach, sports announcer, and sports publicist in D300. He retired from D300 in 1993 but continued as public address announcer for football at Dundee Crown High School until 2020 (37 years). For 10 years he served as sports director for radio station WVFV-FM in Dundee. He became producer/announcer for local high school football and basketball games. Jim was elected Trustee for the Village of Algonquin for two terms (1981-1989). He was the announcer for the Algonquin Founders Day parade for over 25 years. One of his favorite jobs was as Public Relations/Promotions Director for the Kane County Fair, a post he held for 33 years. In addition to publicizing fair events, he hosted country music stars backstage including Loretta Lynn, George Jones, Alabama, Reba McIntire and many others.

He is a member of the Dundee Crown Sports Hall of Fame and the Illinois High School Basketball Coaches Hall of Fame. At St. Margaret Mary Church he served as a lector for over 60 years. In addition to spending time with his family, Jim loved playing golf and gambling in Elgin and Las Vegas. He was an avid White Sox fan and enjoyed watching all Chicago sports teams. Jim is survived by three daughters, LuAnn (George) Nelson of Missouri, Julie (Larry) O'Brien of Huntley, and Mary Oakes of Colorado; six grandchildren, Katie O'Brien, Erin (Josh) Jackson, Andrew (Meg) Nelson, Brian (Cara) Nelson, Kevin (Jillian) O'Brien, and DJ (Courtney) Oakes; six great-grandchildren, Blakely, Taytum, Graham, Parker, Maren, and Jimmy; one sister Loretta Rumsa of Crystal Lake. He was preceded in death by his parents, wife Phyllis, sister Helen, daughter Mary Patricia, granddaughters Heather, Amy, and Anne Marie Nelson, and great-granddaughter Riley Nelson. Funeral Mass will be held at 11:00 A.M. on Saturday, September 7, 2024 at St. Margaret Mary Catholic Church. Burial will follow at St. John Nepomucene Cemetery. Visitation will be Friday from 4:00 P.M. to 8:00 P.M. at Wait Ross Allanson Funeral Chapel, 201 S. Main St. Algonquin and Saturday from 10:00 A.M. until time of Mass at the church. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to St. Jude's Children's Hospital or the charity of your choice. For information call 847-658-4232 or www.lairdfamilyfuneralservices.com

LINKS

Laird Funeral Home

The Northwest Herald Memoriams

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