James "Jim" Earl Dacy

James Earl Dacy passed away peacefully on Sunday, March 16, 2025. Born on February 28, 1943 in Chicago, Illinois to Earl Patrick Dacy and Dorabel Robinson Dacy, Jim was 82 years old and was a resident of Arden, North Carolina.

After being raised in Chicago, Jim moved to Melbourne, Australia with his parents for his high school years where he was on the rowing team and taught his cricket team how to play American baseball. He returned to the United States to attend college at Northern Illinois University. He graduated with a BS degree in Business at Roosevelt University in Chicago and an MBA degree from Northwestern University in Evanston, IL – all done by attending night school since he worked full-time in the paperboard packaging industry from the age of 19. Jim worked in Labor Relations and Human Resources for over 40 years for the same company through various name changes – Container Corporation of America, Jefferson Smurfit Corporation, Smurfit Stone Container Corporation, and finally Smurfit Westrock. His career took him from Chicago to Philadelphia, back to Chicago, and then to St. Louis where Jim and his wife, Jean, resided for 31 years. He retired in 2005 as Director of Labor Relations.

Outside of work, Jim was passionate about cooking and experimented often with new recipes. He also enjoyed gardening and was an avid reader. Jim met Jean at work when he was transferred to Philadelphia. They were married on January 1, 1977 and enjoyed 48 years of marriage and raising a family together. Special family memories included musical performances at the MUNY and Fox Theater in St. Louis, Cardinals baseball games, summer vacations in Ocean City, NJ and Cape Cod, MA, and spending Christmas holidays in Pennsylvania. Another place dear to Jim’s heart was New Smyrna Beach, FL, where he enjoyed many family vacations and spent time with his wonderful grandchildren. Later in retirement, Jim and Jean moved to Arden, NC, near Asheville, to be close to their daughter, Elizabeth, and her young family.

Besides his parents, he was preceded in death by his brothers, Jerry Dacy and John Dacy and by his infant son, Patrick Dacy. He is survived by his loving wife, Jean Reid Dacy of Arden, his daughters, Susan Luschas (Manuel) of Brandon, South Dakota and Elizabeth Bond (Daniel) of Arden, North Carolina and granddaughters, Soraya Luschas, Sabrina Luschas, and Emory Bond, and grandson, Elias Bond. He is also survived by his former wife, Sally German of Clearwater, Florida, as well as many nieces, nephews, and close friends.

Jim’s life will be celebrated with a memorial service at Lutheran Church of the Nativity in Arden on Saturday, June 7, 2025 at 11:00 am. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions can be made to Lutheran Church of the Nativity in Arden, The North Carolina Arboretum in Asheville, or the Alzheimer’s Association.

Groce Funeral Home’s Lake Julian team is assisting the family.