Obituary for James Hennessey, Newly Elected SD ASA/USA Hall of Fame Member

James Edward (Jim) Hennessey passed away July 4th, 2016 at Unity Point Hospital in Sioux City, IA.

Jim was born June 27th, 1938 in Sioux City, to Edward James and Rita Lorraine (McQuirk) Hennessey. Jim was united in marriage to Barbara Dickens on November 25, 1961. They had three children, Daniel (Danielle) Hennessey of Chandler, AZ, Terrence Hennessey (deceased) (Lorri Jo Hennessey- Dollbaum) of Chandler, AZ, and Kelly (Bill) Saunders of Vermillion, SD. Eight grandchildren, K.C. (Nadine) Hennessey of Chandler, AZ, Ryan Hennessey of Chandler, AZ, Bailey Carlson of Vermillion, SD, Paige and Brooke Hennessey of Chandler, AZ, Lexi, Connor, and Jaelyn Saunders of Vermillion, SD, and One great-grand daughter, Lyric Aakira Hennessey of Chandler, AZ. He has two brothers Larry (Jolane) Hennessey of Sioux City, Gary Joseph (Sandie) Hennessey of Omaha, NE, and one sister Sharon Mickelson (deceased). Many nieces and nephews, a very special cousin Mary Sam Hacker who helped us through it all, and a great great friend Steve Stein.

Jim graduated in the 1956 class at Heelan High School in Sioux City. He worked 50 years for the Great Northern RR, Burlington Northern RR and the Burlington Northern Santa Fe RR.

He will be inducted into the South Dakota softball hall of fame in October in Mitchell, SD. Jim’s softball career began in the late 1950’s to the mid 1990’s. He played “short stop” and received the M.V.P in 1966, his career lead him to win 16 state tournaments and 23 league championships. In later years he went to managing teams and was named Fast Pitch Softball Manager of the Year in 1974 and 1975.

Jim was preceded in death by his parents, grandparents, a sister Sharon Mickelson, sister-in-law Doreen Burke, and his son Terrence Michael on Christmas day December 25th, 2000.

Jim is donating his body to U.S.D Medical Science, hoping he can help in finding cures.