James Frederick 'Jim' Emerson

September 3, 1941 - November 20, 2021

James Frederick (“Jim”) Emerson, age 80, of Orlando, Florida passed away peacefully November 20, 2021, after having undergone a two and one-half-year battle with pancreatic cancer. Jim was born on September 3, 1941, in Hurst, IL to Evelyn (Zimmerman) and Joseph Emerson. He spent his youth working in the family’s grocery store, which served the local community, before graduating from Southern Illinois University. Jim started his professional career teaching at Christian colleges where he developed a focus on mission-based work which would continue throughout his career. He spoke Russian and traveled to Eastern Europe on multiple occasions in the 1960s photographing cold war political developments. Jim later became an early leader in the senior living industry, and ultimately served as the CEO of the largest senior community provider in Florida, which he led for 28 years before his retirement. He spent the remaining years of his life continuing to serve non-profit senior living providers in an advisory capacity, often on a pro-bono basis. Jim loved to spend time working on “repair” projects, including restoring his Ford Model A cars. He also valued traveling throughout Europe and Alaska with his wife of 34 years Sally (Lee). He appreciated music, and was proficient with the organ, piano, trumpet, and even the harmonica. He enjoyed summers in Western North Carolina, taking walks and hikes, working in the yard, traveling the back roads, watching sunsets, and sitting by the fireplace. Jim is survived by his wife, Sally who lovingly cared for him during his final years. He is also survived by two sons, Eric, and Kurt, three stepsons, David, Doug, and John (Noe), two grandchildren, and four step-grandchildren as well as his sister Cheryl (Dunham), and brothers, David, and John. A private family service will be held. In lieu of flowers, the family requests any memorials be directed to the Emerson Family Philanthropic Foundation (https://acuityarea.com/foundation) which supports Central Florida charitable organizations he championed. The family of Jim Emerson invites you to leave a message of condolence on the Tribute Wall created in his loving memory.