James J. Hallek

James J. Hallek (June 23, 1933-May 6, 2015) died in Albuquerque on May 6, 2015. Jim (known as "Jimbo" to family and friends) would have turned 82 on June 23rd. Jim was born in Alton, Illinois and was a high school basketball star. He attended Millikin University in Decatur, Illinois, on a basketball scholarship until he broke his foot in a championship game. Being the indefatigable young man he was, he kept playing for the entire game. It ruined his foot and he lost his scholarship! He was promptly drafted into the U.S. Army since this was during the Korean Conflict, and assigned to the CBs (Construction Battalion) and worked in Leadville, Colorado on an army project during his service. After his Army service, he went to work as a salesman and as an industrial lighting expert for DayBrite Lighting in St. Louis, MO. That is where he met and fell in love with his wife, Catherine. They decided to move to New Mexico in the late 1950's and formed their own business, representing many different lighting companies over the years. Jim was the President of Hallek Sales Company, and Cathy was the Vice-President. They were a great team both as life partners and business partners. Jim adopted Cathy's two daughters, Kathy and Debbie, in the late 1950's also and brought them to Albuquerque to live. As Cathy and Jim aged, they decided to follow their early dreams of travel, which took them all over the globe. They also designed and built their Dream House together in the Paako community in Sandia Park. Cathy died in May of 2000, leaving Jimbo without his lifemate of 45 years. Jim's personal philosophy was based on two things: work hard and play hard. He could not abide an "empty day" that was not planned with projects to complete. And after the projects were done, it was time to play tennis! Or wax his beloved boat. Or plan his next travel adventure. His energy and love of life made him a "force of nature." He spent the last four Christmas holidays in Ohio with his granddaughter, Katie, her husband and their three little boys and he rivaled the boys for energy! **He stayed active in the business community of Albuquerque and Rio Rancho right up until his death, forming a new partnership with Jason and Tanya Rojas in the health and nutrition business in the past two years. He was active over the years in the Albuquerque Tennis Club, the Albuquerque Boat Club, Tanoan Country Club, the VFW, and various professional associations over the years. He is survived by his daughters Kathleen Anderson Sperling, Deborah Parker, and his grand-daughters: Katie Anderson (Ponesse), Allie Parker and Jessie Parker. Jim had three great-grandsons who will greatly miss their "Grandpa Bo": Luke, Michael, and Justin Ponesse of Columbus, Ohio; also his best friend Porgy II, a beagle that he fell in love with. His ashes will be interred next to those of his beloved Cathy at Sunset Memorial Park. **His life-long friends from the Albuquerque Boat Club plan to hold a Memorial for Jimbo later this summer. In lieu of flowers, please make a donation to your favorite charity in his name. FRENCH - Westside 9300 Golf Course Rd NW 505-897-0300