James W. Mccloskey

James W. McCloskey

James W. McCloskey, a 28 year resident of Belleville, Illinois, died on Sunday, April 19, 2015, at his home with his wife Lynn at his side. Jim attained the age of 72 years, 2 months, and 12 days.

Jim was born in East Palestine, Ohio, the son of Charles and Frances, nee Hutter, McCloskey. Growing up in East Palestine James graduated from Culver Naval Summer School in 1960 and from East Palestine High School in 1961. He received a degree in chemical engineering from Vanderbilt University in 1965 and served one tour of duty in Viet Nam as an officer aboard the USS Mt Baker. In 1968, he started work in the chemical industry at Hooker Chemical in Niagara Falls, New York. Later he worked as a chemical engineer at Rollins Environmental Service in Baton Rouge, Louisiana, and at Sverdrup Corporation in St. Louis, Missouri. He retired from Sverdrup in the 1990's.

Jim met the love of his life, Lynn Owens, in San Francisco in 1967, and a close bond of love and companionship quickly formed making them partners for 48 years.

While living in Baton Rouge, Jim took courses in forestry and accounting at Louisiana State University in preparation for becoming fully engaged in the management of the historic Owens family tree farm at Evergreen, Florida, which Jim and Lynn inherited. Under Jims stewardship, a long-term management plan was implemented, including improved trails and forest and restoration of native long-leaf pine stands. This care culminated in the 2014 donation by Jim and Lynn of a conservation easement to the North Florida Land Trust to preserve the forested rural character of the 890-acre property and protect it from future development in perpetuity. Jim was very proud to accomplish the Evergreen conservation easement during his final months of life.

Jim had an independent spirit, a strong compass and an inquisitive mind. He liked knowing how things worked and never discarded a broken item without taking it apart first. He exercised regularly at the Belleville Health and Sports Center and enjoyed many friendships there. He lovedthe outdoors, trees, orderliness, good walks and Lynn. These traits found full expression in his final decades in his work on the McCloskey-Owens Evergreen Tree Farm where his ashes will find a final resting place.

No memorial service is planned. Memorial donations may be made to the North Florida Land Trust, 2038 Gilmore ST., Jacksonville, Florida 32204.