James J. Rys, a former longtime resident of Hinsdale, passed away July 6, 2020.
James “Jim” Rys was born in 1941 in Chicago to Rita (nee Jablonowski) Rys and Joseph Rys.
Jim attended the University of Illinois and went on to graduate from Roosevelt University with a bachelor’s in sociology and psychology in 1964. Jim was a first lieutenant in the Army and went to Vietnam in December 1967 and became Ex. Officer of Battery C, 6th Battalion of the 11th Light Infantry Brigade. For six months he served with the “jungle warriors” in providing direct artillery support for the allied infantry operations. In July 1968 he was named artillery liaison officer for the 3rd Battalion, 1st Infantry Regiment. He assumed command of D Battery, 6th Battalion 11th Artillery, and served until the end of his overseas tour. While serving in Vietnam, Rys was wounded in action twice and received two Purple Hearts. He also was awarded the Bronze Star, three Air Medals and the Army Commendation Medal with Combat “V” device. In 1970, he married Mimi (Mily) Rys.
Jim worked as a director of strategic marketing and advertising research for Sears, Roebuck and Co. in Chicago for 24 years. Llving in Hinsdale, he coached in AYSO and served as a chaperone for the Trolls Ski Club.
He went on to work for The Blackstone Group and Sorkin Einstein Research in Chicago until moving to Charlotte, N..C, and working for Wachovia Corp. as vice president of market research. From 2003-09 he worked as the director of market research for Assurant Health in Milwaukee. He retired in 2010 to Sun City Georgia so he could enjoy playing golf year-round. In 2017 Jim and Mimi moved to Poinciana, Fla., where Jim was a member of the Veterans Club of Solavita and the Water Volleyball Club. Jim had a tremendous love of sports and was especially fond of golf, softball, cycling, soccer and water volleyball.
Jim will be fondly remembered by his family and friends as a loving father, distinguished marketing professional, golfer, humorist with a contagious laugh, soccer coach, ski chaperone, animal lover, avid reader and U.S. Army Veteran.
He is survived by his wife of 50 years, Mimi Rys; and his two children, Monique Rys (Michael Burken) and Robert Rys (Kellie Bloxsom-Rys).
Memorials may be made online to the Vietnam Veterans of America at https://www.vva.org.
The family asks that people play a round of golf, read a book, or share a positive story in his memory.
Osceala Memory Gardens in Florida handled the arrangements.
