James A. Markstrom's Obituary
Mount Pleasant –
James A. “Jim” Markstrom, age 40, passed away peacefully on July 3, 2014, at his home.
Jim was born on April 29, 1974, to Jim and Joyce (nee: Massette) Markstrom. Jim married Catherine Ann LaFaive on August 9, 1997 in Racine at St. Lucy’s Catholic Church.
Jim was a Senior Network Transport Design Engineer at Verizon Wireless for 12 years. He was a professor in the School of Electronics Technology at ITT Technical Institute and was the advisor for the Student Radio Club. Jim served as Assistant Troop Master of Boy Scout Troop 105. He volunteered as an Emergency Coordinator for Racine County ARES. Jim was also a member of the Lakeshore Repeater Association and the Racine Megacycle Club. He was a HAM Radio aficionado and his call sign was KB9MMA. Jim volunteered at the Volunteer Center of Racine and earned the Heroic Volunteer of the Year Award. He was awarded the Lifetime Volunteer Achievement Award from the City of Racine Mayor in March, 2014. Jim was also an avid camper, fisherman and Star Trek “Trekkie” with an extraordinary sense of humor.
Jim is survived by his wife, Cathy and son Samm; parents Jim and Joyce; brother Jerel (Sheila); sister Jennifer; nieces Emma and Madison; nephew and Godson, Jay; and many other extended family members and friends.
Jim was preceded in death by his son, Andrew; grandmother, Lois Massette; Uncle, Charles Massette; mother-in-law, Daphne LaFaive; and brother-in-law, Justin LaFaive.
The family wishes to extend special thanks to Jim’s oncologist, Dr. Jennifer Connelly at Froedtert Clinical Cancer Center for her compassionate care to Jim.
Friends and relatives may meet with the family on Friday, July 11, 2014, from 4:00 PM to 8:00 PM and on Saturday, July 12, 2014 from 11:00 until the funeral service at noon at the Wilson Funeral Home, 1212 Lathrop Ave. in Racine, phone: 262-634-3361.
Memorials may be directed to the Volunteer Center of Racine County.
What’s your fondest memory of James?
What’s a lesson you learned from James?
Share a story where James' kindness touched your heart.
Describe a day with James you’ll never forget.
How did James make you smile?
