UNLAND, Jim

The Arizona Republic 3/25/2010 Unland, Jim 1922 - 2010. A treasured husband, father, grandfather, friend, and avid golfer, Jim Unland of Paradise Valley died on March 19, 2010. Jim is survived by his wife Frances, his two sons John and Jim, his grandsons Logan, Tyler, daughter Sue Watts and daughter-in-law, Linda. As devoted as Jim was to his original Illinois family, he was equally devoted to Fran's daughter Chris and to her husband Tom Minor; Barbara and Sally Guenther and grandchildren John, Kurt and Grayson. Jim was born in Delevan, Illinois on January 5, 1922 and graduated from the University of Illinois where he was a member of the Alpha Tau Omega Fraternity. He married Judith Johnston in 1943, and lived in and around Peoria, Illinois until he moved to Paradise Valley when he married Frances Guenther in 1994 after the death of Judy. With an extremely full and gratifying family, political and civic life, perhaps the most profound years of Jim's life were those spent as a Captain and Company Commander in the 320th Infantry in the European Theater in World War II. For his service, he was awarded a Purple Heart with cluster, a Bronze Star, and a Silver Star. He often shared his stories of the war with friends and family, stories and memories that were fortunately captured in written and audio diaries. After the war, he went into the insurance business with his father, J. Logan Unland in Pekin, Illinois. He and his wife Judy were heavily involved in Central Illinois activities and politics. Jim ran for Congress in 1956 in the 18th Illinois Congressional District Republican primary and was Chair or co-Chair of several Republican presidential campaigns in the Central Illinois area. Jim also served on the Illinois Board of Higher Education during the 1970's and 80's. He was active in a number of civic and fraternal organizations including a founder and Board Chair for the Everett McKinley Dirksen Congressional Research Center, chairman of the Illinois Interstate Highway Committee and President of Pekin, Illinois Rotary club. During his 17 years in the Phoenix area, Jim was a member of the Paradise Valley Country Club, made countless friends, and will be missed by all who knew him. Services will be held in Illinois. At Jim's request, in lieu of flowers, donations may be made to Hospice of the Valley, 1510 E. Flower St., Phoenix, AZ 85014, telephone 602-530-6900. Arrangements by Messinger Indian School Mortuary, Scottsdale, AZ