James Richard Eley, 68, of Tucson, Arizona, died peacefully in his home, on February 2, 2015.

Jim was born on July 5, 1946, in Minneapolis, MN to James and Twila Eley.

In August 1981, Jim married the love his life, Ernestina Eley.  They were married for 34 years and retired to Tucson, Arizona, in 2011.

A great man of faith, Jim shared his life experiences and offered loving advice to anyone that asked.  He was an excellent listener, a man of his word and a friend to all. An avid golfer, he also enjoyed fishing and spending time with his wife, Tina and dog, Dee Oh Gee.

In 2006, while visiting family in Panama, Jim and Tina were introduced to a Catholic mission, providing humanitarian services and education to the indigenous peoples of Panama.  The cause was a passionate calling for Jim that brought deep meaningful relationships and trips to the mission that he treasured and spoke about often.

Jim is survived by his wife, Ernestina Eley; children: James Eley, Scott Eley, Melissa Shuman, Stephanie Ferran and Dennis Palmer; grandchildren, Adam Houle, Alexa Volkert, Brandon Eley, Brandt Eley, Taylor Shuman, Hannah Shuman, Noah Shuman, Connor Shuman and Faith Shuman; great grandchildren, Ariahnna Houle, Taubrea Houle and Pierson Houle; siblings, Russell Eley and Art Blackburn; nieces, Crystal Wald and Christina Eley; nephews, Eric and Ben Blackburn and great-aunt, Charlotte Kane.

A memorial service will be held in Tucson, AZ, on February 21, 2015.

In lieu of flowers, the family asks that donations be made to the Lustgarten Founation, the nation’s leading private source of funding for pancreatic cancer research, at www.lustgarten.org.