James "Jim" E. Sellers

Jim Sellers was born in Chicago in 1952. His family moved often when he was a child so he had only vague memories of elementary school. In his late teens he returned to the Chicago area and was trained on construction sites. He learned how to build and remodel houses, run electric and plumbing, set tile, design kitchens, and was especially adept at problem solving on the site. Later he was employed at The Morton Arboretum, using his skills as a carpenter there for 17 years. A man of all trades, he wore a tool belt most of his life. 

Jim was enthusiastic, humble and big-hearted – always willing to help family and friends, whether it was raising a roof, moving a piano, building a deck or removing an old tree. He was an avid canoeist and fisherman. Some of his favorite adventures took place in the Boundary Waters with a group of fishing buddies. He loved returning home with stories of moose, giant northerns, blazing campfires and persistent bears. 

Jim took epic cross country road trips, scrutinizing maps and discovering remote but intriguing places to visit. He enjoyed camping, and hiked many trails – from the glaciers in Montana to the canyons in the Southwest. He enjoyed astronomy and archeology, ever curious about what he found in the deep earth and in the stars above. He was very familiar with the night sky and wouldn’t hesitate to take a road trip to witness shooting stars, glowing comets or an eclipse. 

Jim was big, strong and tender. He knew how to be silly and loved playing with his grandchildren - who nicknamed him ‘Papa Music’  for the instruments he played and the songs he collected. He lived vigorously and had few regrets! 

Jim died peacefully in his DeKalb home under the gentle hospice care of loved ones. He will be missed.

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