Eric R. James

Eric Robert James, 30, son of Susan E. Kaul James and Darrel L. James, was born on April 21, 1980 in Fond du Lac, WI. He passed away on February 18, 2011 in West Allis, WI with his mother by his bedside. He never allowed having Duchenne Muscular Dystrophy prevent him from living life to its fullest. His mother loved and cared for him from the moment he was a twinkle in her eye until the day he died. She will carry him in her heart forever; their lives were deeply intertwined. People who were fortunate enough to know Eric undoubtedly learned from his incredible attitude, outlook on life, and wisdom. Eric enjoyed a happy, fulfilling life. His many interests included open-wheel racing and NASCAR racing (especially watching and meeting the Andretti family and attending races at Road America), meteorology, traveling, geography, architecture (especially Frank Lloyd Wright’s work), and proudly watching his niece Arianna grow and learn. He was a member of the Michael Andretti, John Andretti, and Indy Car fan clubs. He attended a Muscular Dystrophy Association camp for one week each summer from 1986 to 2001. Eric graduated from Horace Mann High School in North Fond du Lac, WI in 1999. He completed his Associates Degree at UW Fond du Lac in 2003 and then worked toward a degree in meteorology at UW Milwaukee. Eric is survived by: his mother Susan James; father Darrel James; sister Stacy James and her fiancé Jonathan Hitesman; sister Heidi Burns; niece Arianna Burns; maternal grandmother Margaret Porter; eight aunts and uncles: Nancy Kaul, Robert Kaul, Thomas (Joan) Kaul, Betty (Ted) Lenox, and Larry (Nancy) James; and many cousins. Eric is preceded in death by: his maternal great grandmother Mary Wilkins; maternal grandfather Wilson H. Kaul; paternal grandparents Louis (Martha) James; and maternal great uncle Robert Albee.Thank you to everybody who touched Eric’s life and cared about him, especially great friends Thomas and Joan Walters and Rick Hau, R.N. Also, special thanks to Dr. Russell Fredrickson and MDA Coordinator Carolynne Younk. A graveside service will be held at 1:00 p.m. on Thursday, April 21, 2011, at Rienzi Cemetery, N6101 County Road K, Fond du Lac. Please come and share a special memory of Eric’s life.

Eric R. James

April 21, 1980 - April 21, 2011