Kenneth J. James, 84, of Winnetka, IL, passed away on on Monday, September 26, 2016, at The Presbyterian Home in Evanston. He was managing partner of Kenneth J. James Partners in Northfield, Illinois. Those who knew him called him a true gentleman and kind soul.

Born on April 6, 1932 in Evanston, IL, he was the oldest son of Jeremiah and Helen James.

Raised in Evanston, he graduated from Evanston High School in 1950. He attended Stanford University where he graduated in 1954 with a B.S. in Economics. While at Stanford, he pursued two of his passions- joining the wrestling team and playing the drums in the marching band.

After Stanford, Ken followed in the footsteps of his Uncle, Senator John Nimrod, and joined the army. He served for two years at Fort Sam in San Antonio, Texas where he earned the rank of lieutenant.

After the army, Ken received his Juris Doctor Degree from Northwestern Law School in 1959. He married his sweetheart, Constance Lind, two days after finishing the Bar Exam.

In 1960, after the death of their father, Ken and his brother Edward R. James, started developing on their own. Their first project was 1630 Sheridan Road, Wilmette a 10-story cooperative building on the lakefront. This was followed shortly thereafter by five high rise condominium buildings in Delray Beach Florida. The next development was 1110 Lake Shore Drive, a 40-story condominium building finished in 1971. 

In 1974, they began developing Lake Barrington Shores, a 500-acre golf course community with over 1300 homes in Lake Barrington, Illinois. This development won many local and national awards. John Hathaway, President of Lake Barrington’s Home Owner’s Association said, “Ken's contributions were many, and the development of Lake Barrington Shores is especially dear to all of us here who witnessed the construction and completion of this marvelous community.”

Lake Barrington Shores was followed by Tangley Oaks and Armour Woods in Lake Bluff, IL containing approx. 250 homes on the 200-acre Armour estate. Other developments include Glenlake, Indian Ridge and the Heatherfield in Glenview, among others. In 2001, Ken along with his brother Ed, won the Urban Land Institute’s Lifetime Achievement Award for their responsible development approach His brother Ed reflected, “Ken taught me a great deal over many years, about many things. We had a wonderful experience working together, If I had chance to pick a big brother, it would be my brother, Ken”

Ken was a Trustee of the Illinois Masonic Medical Center, Member of the Board of Directors of St. Paul Federal Bank and the Former President of the Homebuilder’s Association of Greater Chicago.

In spite of Ken’s many accomplishments, he felt it was most important to be a good husband, father, grandfather, kind person and generous community member. It was in this regard that he truly excelled. His friend Warren Barr Jr. said, “He was a truly good person. A wonderful human being." He tutored children in Evanston as well as at Fourth Presbyterian Church in Chicago. He taught Sunday school at Kenilworth Union Church and served as a member of the Centennial Scholars Committee acting as a liaison between the church and the McCormick Theological Seminary interviewing candidates foe ministry scholarship funds.

He served as Vice President of the Board of the Pedersen- McCormick Boys and Girls Club, an organization he loved. Fellow Board Member Craig, Richart stated: “He was a wonderful man. I had the pleasure of working with him on the board of the Pedersen-McCormick Boys & Girls Club board for over thirty years. He was one of the clubs most committed and generous board members and could always be counted on when something needed to be done.” He was also the Co-President of the J and H James Foundation where he, through the foundation, helped to set up scholarship funds for Northwestern University.

Ken was also a member of YPO, the World President’s Organization, Chicago President’s Organization, Chicago Bar Association, Chicago Home Builder’s Association, Urban Land Institute and The Economic Club of Chicago.

He was an avid cyclist and enjoyed tennis, golf, astronomy, skiing, classical music, opera, and reading. He loved 19th and 20th century history.

Ken is survived by his wife Constance L. James; his three children Merrily L. James, Carl K. James and Melissa J. Richardson; five grandchildren; as well as by his brother, Edward R. (Jeannine) James.

Services have been held.