James Kaelin

James Norman Kaelin December 5, 1937 - June 22, 2017 James, “Jim”, is survived by his wife Phyllis Smith Kaelin, his children Eric Joseph Kaelin (wife Margaret Cauthron Kaelin) of Belton, TX, Laurie Ann Kaelin of Madison, AL, Michael David Kaelin (wife Carol Skvorz Kaelin) of Williamsburg, VA, and Amanda Sue Wendling (husband Phillip Wayne Wendling) and granddaughters Kaelin, Emily, and Isabella Wendling all of Madison, AL. Jim was born in Lousiville, KY but grew up from humble beginnings on a tobacco farm in Charlestown, Indiana, where he hitchhiked to school every day to St. Xavier in Louisville. While in Charlestown, he met his wife-to-be, Phyllis Smith, where ultimately, they married in a naval ceremony in the chapel on the New London Naval Base on September 3, 1960. After graduating high school, Jim then went on and graduated with a Chemical Engineering degree from the University of Louisville Speed School of Engineering through the Navy ROTC program in 1960. He was immediately commissioned to the USN Submarine School, in San Diego, CA where he served three years aboard the fast-attack submarine, USS Ronquil. In 1964, Jim qualified for and went to Nuclear Protocol School, and was then stationed in New London, CT where he became a senior officer for Admiral Hyman Rickover’s Ballistic Missile Submarine Program aboard the SSBN John Marshall, one of five Ethan Allan Class nuclear submarines. Jim served four years aboard the John Marshall before leaving the Navy and entering into the civilian commercial nuclear industry in Lynchburg, VA. He then moved the family to Clarksville, AR. Jim, never forgetting his agricultural roots, wanted his family to appreciate and realize the same values, traditions and life experiences of farming, so he moved the family to a farm in Yell County, AR. He was transferred to Callaway County Missouri, where he and the family started a successful Simmental cattle farm until selling in 1983. Including the Browns Ferry Units, he was an integral part in the building and starting of five nuclear plants. Upon arriving in Madison, Jim was recruited by Father Patrick Murphy to assist in the continued development of St. John the Baptist Catholic Church. He was a charter member of the Madison, Alabama Chapter of The Knights of Columbus. Jim became very active and became State Pro-Life Chairman for the Knights of Columbus and a strong advocate of the Northern Alabama pro-life movement, where he helped facilitate multiple ultrasound machines in pregnancy centers. After leaving the nuclear industry with TVA, Jim created a successful real estate career in Madison. In his retirement years, Jim was able to enjoy the passions of his life: living his Catholic faith values, spending time with his family, being a caring and loving husband, following U of L athletics, and, most notably, his cherished ice cream time with his three granddaughters. In lieu of flowers please make donations to the Catholic Network EWTN. A Tribute Video may be viewed at the following link: https://www.tributeslides.com/tributes/show/GBH3TJWPBYSRR825