James Boosalis' Obituary
James John Boosalis, 92, born in Minneapolis, MN fell asleep in the Lord peacefully at home on April 16, 2012. He is survived by his devoted and loving wife Inga. Their 70 year marriage was a testimony of commitment, loyalty and love. Preceded in death by his son John Boosalis, sister Georgia and brother-in-law James Dovolis (Edina, MN), brother-in-law George Condes (Whiting, IN) and great nephew Nicholas Dovolis (Edina, MN). He is survived by his sister Mary Condes (Whiting, IN) and his children Joanne Conway of Chicago, IL, James Boosalis (Denise) of Nashville, TN, Julie Zdancewicz (Bill) and Janet Boosalis of Memphis, TN and many loving extended family members. His true joys were his grandchildren Billy, Jake, Jana and Anne Keaton. After marrying his beloved wife Inga on August 5, 1941, Jim joined the rest of the “greatest generation” and served in the U.S. Army with distinction until the end of World War II. Jim Boosalis had a successful and colorful career. He started his professional life after the war working for a food distributorship in Columbia, SC. He then became the General Manager of the Double AA Cubs baseball farm team in Fayetteville, NC. To be closer to family and friends in Chicago, he accepted a position with Illinois Meat Company and rose through the ranks to become National Sales Manager. At that point in his career, Jeno Paulucci, a visionary in the food industry, hired Jim as his protégé to be the National Sales Manager of his new company Jeno’s Pizza, Inc. After a successful product launch and several thriving years, Jim was hired as National Sales Vice President of United Foods, Inc. in Memphis, TN. After advancing United Foods, Inc. to prominence, Jim was lured away by powerhouse NYSE Standard Brands, Inc. (a forerunner of RJR Nabisco, Inc.) to be their Executive Vice President of National Sales as well as President of their largest company, The Fleischmann Group. After several successful years of record-breaking sales, Jim left Standard Brands to become President of TransAgra Corp., a subsidiary of Texas Gas Transmission, Inc. After his retirement, Jim offered his consulting expertise and co-owned KingAire, Inc. a heating and air conditioning company. KingAire’s success attracted NYSE Watsco Corp. to later purchase the company. Jim was also very civic-minded and sat on numerous boards in Chicago and Memphis. He was instrumental with other local business leaders in the formative years of the Memphis Convention and Visitors Bureau. Jim served as its founding Chairman of the Board and was later bestowed the honor as its only Chairman Emeritus. Jim’s Greek faith and heritage were integral parts of his life. He was President of The Annunciation Greek Orthodox Church from 1982 -1985, a member of the men’s philanthropic organization AHEPA and served as Chairman of the Memphis Greek Festival for numerous years. He was a past member of Colonial and Memphis National Country Clubs where he enjoyed his life-long passion for golf. Special thanks are extended to Jim’s compassionate caregivers. Jim will be remembered and held dear in the hearts of his family and many friends. Visitation will be on Friday, April 20, 6-8 p.m. at Memorial Park Funeral Home & Cemetery, 5668 Poplar Ave. Funeral service will be on Saturday, April 21, 11 a.m. at The Annunciation Greek Orthodox Church, 573 N. Highland. Memorials preferred to The Annunciation Greek Orthodox Church, 573 N. Highland, Memphis, TN 38122. (901)327-8177. Funeral arrangements have been entrusted to Memorial Park Funeral Home and Cemetery, 5668 Poplar Ave. Memphis, TN 38119, (901)767-8930, “Behind the Stone Wall”.
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