James D. Aldridge Jr.

COAL CITY—James Donald Aldridge Jr., 77, of Coal City, passed away peacefully on Tuesday evening, Jan. 22, 2019 at his home with his loving family by his side.
Jim was born Oct. 27, 1941 in Joliet,  to James D. Sr. and Laverne M. (nee McKinley) Aldridge. As a child, he lived in Custer Park where his family owned and operated The Little Grocery Store. He graduated from Reed-Custer High School in 1959, then attended Joliet Junior College and Northern Illinois University before continuing his education at the Automation Institute of Chicago. He worked as a computer programmer/systems analyst for ABN-AMRO (LaSalle Bank).  
Jim married Sharon Huston on Sept. 25, 1965 at the Coal City United Methodist Church. Together, they raised their three children in Coal City. Jim was a devoted father and Papa. He loved watching the kids play sports. He served as committee chairman and leader for the Boy Scouts and helped coach Little League. He enjoyed playing golf, bowling, fishing, pontooning, dining out with friends and vacationing in Hayward, WI.
Jim is survived by his wife of 53 years, Sharon; children: Scott (Ronnie), Dawn and Brett (Alice) Aldridge, all of Coal City; grandchildren: Kassie, Klare, Mason and Leah; aunt, Ruth (the late Anton) Vilt; sisters-in- law, Wendy Huston and Anita Huston; cousins, A.J. (Pat) Vilt and Dana (Ron) Schmidt and numerous nieces and nephews.
He was preceded in death by his parents, James and Laverne; mother and father-in-law, Robert and Stella Huston and brothers-in-law, Robert and Kenneth Huston and his Uncle, Tony Vilt.
Memorials in Jim's name may be directed to the New Hope Presbyterian Church, 80 N. Garfield St., Coal City, IL 60416 or Joliet Area Community Hospice, 250 Water Stone Circle, Joliet, IL 60431.
Visitation will be from 4 until 8 p.m. Friday, Jan. 25, 2019 at Ferrari Funeral Services, corner of Spring Road and Ferrari Drive in Coal City.  Funeral service will be at 10:30 a.m. Saturday, Jan. 26, 2019 at the Ferrari Funeral Chapel with Pastor Mark Hughey officiating. Burial will follow at Braceville/Gardner Cemetery.
Family and friends may sign the online guestbook at www.ferrarifuneral.com.
Ferrari Funeral Services are in charge of arrangements.