James "Jim" Thomas Pokracki

James (Jim) Thomas Pokracki died in the hospital April 19, 2019, Good Friday, due to complications following MDS, a blood cancer...He was 78..

Jim was born on March 22, 1941 to his parents, James and Sophie Pokracki.  He graduated from High School in 1958 and immediately entered the U.S. Air Force..After leaving the Air Force, he returned to Chicago and started working in the steel mill.  Eventually in the mid 60's he moved to Southern California and got a job working for Ryerson Steel.  He worked there for about 7 yrs and then moved on to Sullivan Bolt.  In 1971, he married Rita Walker/Crowell.  In 1988, he was offered an opportunity to work at Construction Tool and Threading, and after 5 yrs purchased the company.  He owned the company until 2019 when he sold the business.

Jim loved to bowl, starting that passion during his teen years in his Polish community called Hegewisch in Chicago, He continued that love as an adult.  He also loved to keep in shape and joined several health clubs over the years, eventually ended up using a personal trainer.  When he turned 70, he took up martial arts, and really enjoyed that.

Jim is survived by his wife Rita, his son Jerry and his wife Kelly, and their daughter Galadriel; his daughter and husband, Kristina and Kevin; his brothers Allen and wife Chloe, Daniel and wife Marcia, and Gregory; and many beloved nieces and nephews.

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