James "Jim" Jablonski

James "Jim" Jablonski, of Chapel Hill, NC, passed away peacefully at Duke Medical Center on August 16, 2024, after a three-and-a-half-year battle with small-cell lung cancer.

Born on January 29, 1949, in Pittsburgh, PA, Jim was the seventh of eleven children of the late Florence and Henry Jablonski. He met the love of his life, Kathleen Kizis Jablonski, in their teenage years, and they enjoyed 57+ beautiful years of marriage.

Jim had a love for life, embracing every moment. His sharp wit and playful sense of humor brought laughter to everyone around him, often with corny jokes that he loved to repeat. Proud of his Polish heritage, he frequently spoke Polish with his family, keeping their traditions alive.

An avid traveler, Jim meticulously planned each trip, ensuring every detail was perfect. He savored the simple pleasures, like relaxing on his screened-in porch with a cold beer on a hot summer day, and eagerly anticipated his monthly Bojangles lunch. A man of many talents, Jim was an excellent cook, a jack of all trades, and a devoted husband, dad, grandfather and brother. He will be deeply missed by all who knew him.

Jim dedicated 47 years to IBM, advancing his career through the years and retiring as a software developer. His professional contributions were matched by his unwavering commitment to his family.

James was predeceased by his daughter Lee; sons, Jon and Justin; sisters, Barbara (late Metro) Dunn and Mary Lou (Marc) Bova; brothers, Henry “Sonny” (late Paulette), David (Deborah), Joseph, and Mark (Reyne).

He is survived by his wife, Kathleen Kizis Jablonski; son, James J. Jablonski of Apex, NC; granddaughter, Hannah (Brad) Parkstone of Stem, NC; sisters, Rosemarie Hilton, Dorothy (late Jul) Santoro, Carol (late Joseph) Hale, and Joann Jablonski (Larry) Lopez.

In keeping with James' wishes, a private graveside service will be held at Pine Forest Memorial Gardens, Wake Forest, NC.

Arrangements by Clancy Strickland Wheeler Funeral Home, 1051 Durham Road Wake Forest, NC, 27587. (919-556-7400)

www.cswfuneralhome.com