James E. “Jim” Moran, 80, of La Grange, IL passed away on February 13, 2024, due to complications from heart failure and pneumonia. Although his passing was expected, his family is profoundly saddened.

Jim was born on July 17, 1943, to Walter and Grace (née Becherer) Moran in Chicago, IL. He was the second of five children, and grew up in west suburban Elmhurst, IL, where he graduated from Immaculate Conception High School in 1961. He obtained a Bachelor’s degree in Sociology from John Carroll University in 1965 and a Master’s degree from Michigan State University in 1967. Upon earning his Master’s degree, he began working for the Internal Revenue Service as an Investigative Auditor.

In 1967, Jim began dating his wife Catherine Roche and they married in 1969. From 1967 to 1970, he served in the U.S. Army, and was stationed in Germany doing counter-intelligence work. While in the Army, Jim learned and became fluent in German. In 1970, Jim was honorably discharged, and he and Catherine returned to the Chicagoland area, where Jim resumed his role with the IRS. In 1978, Jim obtained a Master’s degree in Accounting from DePaul University and soon thereafter, left the IRS for the University of Illinois, where he worked as a Certified Fraud Investigator until 1994.

In 1979, Jim opened an accounting practice and became a business owner.  From 1979 to 1994, he worked long days growing the practice while still working full time for the University of Illinois.  As an Accountant, Jim thoroughly enjoyed finding creative ways to help his clients and when necessary, the challenge of a good fight with the IRS. Many of Jim’s clients remained with him for decades and became life-long friends.

More than anything else, Jim was a family man who loved being a husband, father, and grandfather. Whether it was coaching t-ball games, attending high school sporting events, having a catch, or thoughtfully listening, Jim was always there for Catherine and their five children. Jim embodied the best of qualities: unconditional love, strength of spirit, and an unending kindness that could be seen in his love for his parents and siblings, his devotion to his wife, children, grandchildren, his entire extended family, and countless others.

In 2014, Jim suffered a devastating spinal cord injury that left him paralyzed from the chest down. Although he was able to regain the partial use of his hands and arms, he was wheelchair-bound for the last nine years of his life. Over the course of those years, Jim never complained or asked, “why me”. Instead, he faced this new challenge with admirable courage and fierce determination, and, with the help of his equally courageous wife, continued to live life as fully as possible.

Jim was a voracious reader with a sharp wit and wry sense of humor. He loved spending time with family and friends, and conversations about everything from current events, politics and religion to his favorite Green Bay Packers and the latest football news. Folks who played cards with Jim knew well his ability to recall every card played.

Jim is survived by his wife, Catherine, his children Patrick (Connie), Matthew (Alexandra), Christopher (Monica), Joseph (Kerri), and Meghann (Jack) Hynes, his siblings Susan (Michael) Thornton, John, Mary Beth, and Ann, and his grandchildren Oscar, Phoebe, Lily, Charlie, Shannon, Isabelle, and Scarlett. He was preceded in death by his parents, mother-in-law Vincenzina (Salerno) Roche, father-in-law Raphael Roche, Sr., brothers-in-law David A. Archie, Ralph Manders, and Raphael Roche, Jr., sisters-in-law Regina (Roche) Archie and Judy (Ruiz) Moran, his nephew David R Archie, his grandson Sean Moran, and many extended family members. Although deeply saddened by his passing, his departure comes as a great relief to his entire family and countless others who cared for him deeply, as Jim is now at peace.

The family appreciates your support during this difficult time and asks that, in lieu of flowers, please consider donating to Next Steps of the O’Connor Foundation (https://www.nextstepschicago.org/) in Willow Springs, IL, where Jim received invaluable physical therapy services.

A Memorial Funeral Mass will be held at 10am on Thursday, March 14 at St. Cletus Church, 600 W. 55th Street, LaGrange, IL 60525.