James William Lilly

After a long struggle with his health, James William Lilly, loving father of Ryan and Ashley Lilly and husband of Joyce Lilly passed away at 9:00 pm on May 22, 2012 surrounded by his family.

In honor of his life, a service will be held at 10:00 am, Thursday, May 31st, at St. Jude Catholic Church, 9405 West Florida Avenue, Lakewood, CO. Burial will follow at Mount Olivet Cemetery, Wheat Ridge, Colorado. The reception will be held after the funeral and announced after the services. Any donations can be made out to Reelrecovery.org or the Lilly family at 1358 South Drexel Way, Lakewood, CO 80232.

James, best known as "Jim," was born June 11, 1954 in Evansville, Indiana to Bill and Jean Lilly. Youngest of two sons, Jim's childhood was filled with fishing, swimming and other outdoor adventures with his older brother Tom Lilly and childhood friend Gary Lovell. He attended Reitz High School in Evansville, Indiana and graduated in 1972. Jim then went on to Nashville Automotive and Diesel College in Tennessee for two years. He moved to Colorado to live with his brother Tom in 1977, where he met his future wife Joyce Herrera and they were married a year later. Five years later their first child, Ryan James Lilly was born, followed by their daughter Ashley Nicole Lilly five years later. Jim and Joyce then moved their family to Fort Collins and Jim started work for Dellenbach Motors where he continued his career for 11 years.

Jim dealt with many health issues throughout his life including Hodgkin's Lymphoma in his early 20's and eventually heart failure in his later years. Jim was a model of strength and courage and a continuing source of inspiration to his family with his unwavering positivity despite his predicament. Even through the removal of his pericardium, the necessary introduction of an artificial pacemaker, and eventually a heart transplant, Jim remained resilient and quietly optimistic. Until the very end Jim held high hopes for more time with his wife and children and to continue his passion for fly-fishing.

Jim is survived by his two children, Ryan and Ashley, his brother Tom, his loving wife Joyce and their beloved dog Pearl.

Jim was best known for his great sense of humor but also his compassionate and caring nature. His sarcasm and wit could bring a smile to the face of anyone around him but it was the love behind his words that warmed the hearts of those who knew him best.