James Tait

James Ballantyne Tait, beloved husband, father, grandfather, and friend, passed away Friday, April 8, 2011. He was born March 4, 1925, in Janesville, WI, to James and Robina Tait. His parents were first generation Scottish immigrants who set his feet upon the path he would take in life: of service, accomplishment, and a love of the outdoors. Jim graduated from Andover Academy in 1943, proudly entering V-5 flight school, and serving as a Navy pilot in WWII. Jim went on to Yale University under the GI Bill, graduating in 1949 with a degree in math and chemistry. While there he enjoyed sports, playing on the golf and football teams. Jim loved music as well, especially jazz, and played sax and clarinet during his years at New Haven. He went on to graduate school at MIT. Shortly afterward he married his high school sweetheart, Jane Beck, of Janesville, WI. Jim had a PHD in life. He came to love the Northwoods during his teenage summers, when he worked at the Trout Lake Golf Course and Little Bohemia. Hunting, fishing, camping, and canoeing were life-long passions. Golf was his first love and the focus of his social network. One foursome golfed together every year for forty-nine years. He continued to love airplanes and flying and nurtured this love through both recreation and business. In his professional life, Jim served as president of Rock River Woolen Mills which had been formed in Janesville, WI, in 1848. Jim’s father had managed to get the mill going again after the depression, and Jim agreed to manage it after his father’s death. Jim used his experience as a pilot to fly to Europe to buy wool. In the 1960’s Jim moved the plant to Brownwood, Texas. It was the largest woolen mill in Texas. They made wool blankets for the army, designed wool for women’s high fashion clothing, and were the exclusive manufacturer of wool blankets for Braniff Airlines. During the family’s years in Texas, Jim was active in national politics. In the 70’s Jim and his family returned to WI. Jim worked for the accounting firm Wipfli Ullrich in Wausau for several years before starting his own real estate company. He was joined in the company by his son Jim. Jim Tait Real Estate has been operating for 37 years. Jim was preceded in death by his parents; Jane, his wife of thirty-four years; and his brothers Jack and Bob. Jim is survived by his wife Kay; children Jim Tait, Kyle Tait, Ann (Stephan) Brown, Scott (Pam) Cisney, and Sean Cisney; and grandchildren Trysten Cisney, Travis Cisney, and Nick Tait. His sister Nancy (Don) Milbrandt, his brother Bill (Judy) Tait, and their children survive him also. Friends and family are invited to honor his memory at his funeral service to be held at St. Matthias Church, Hwy 51 @ Chicago Ave., Minocqua, WI. Visitation will be from 11:00-12:00 at St. Matthias prior to the 12:00 service on Tuesday, April 12. A light luncheon will be served following the service in the church hall. Memorials may be made to St. Matthias’ Episcopal Church, P.O. Box 936, Minocqua, WI 54548 or Ministry Home Care, Dr. Kate Hospice, P.O. Box 770, Woodruff, WI 54568.

James Tait

March 4, 1925 - April 8, 2011