James W. Drew

James (Jim) W. Drew
Jim passed away July 5, 2024 at 8:50 p.m. at the age of 79 in his home in Quincy, IL. He was born August 8, 1944 in Akron, Ohio and grew up in Cuyahoga Falls, Ohio, the son of James W. Sr. and Sally (Shurtleff) Drew.
He was active in their Congregational Church, Boy Scouts, and the CF High School chorus. He graduated from Knox College, Galesburg, Illinois, majoring in business and economics. He lived in Drew House, named for his grandfather who was a professor at Knox. He was the president of the Knox College choir. Because of their interest in music he met Dienna Arline Danhaus. They were wed June 9, 1966 in Quincy, Illinois.
Jim was a Goodyear store manager in the St. Louis area for six years and then in Quincy for 21 years. He and Dienna bought a franchise for a Wild Birds Unlimited store which he managed for 17 years. He loved the bird-feeding business and the customers who enjoyed the store and its atmosphere.
Jim loved the opportunities Quincy offered. He enjoyed the Barbershop Chorus and singing in his Scrap Iron Four quartet. His bass voice sounded wonderful in the Quincy Symphony Chorus for more than 40 years. He also sang in a few Muddy River Opera productions.
Jim’s first role in the Quincy Community Theatre was Olin in “The Music Man” and the next summer in “Oliver” he was Mr. Bumble. In answer to Oliver’s question, “More, please?” was that famous line when his bass voice boomed out, “MORE?” At QCT he was on stage, at the light board, or a stage hand for 80 productions. In 2012 he received the theatre’s highest honor – the Enid Ireland Award.
Jim was active in the Quincy Unitarian Church as a board member and the treasurer for ten years. He chaired the annual Plant Sale for many years, helped paint the church outside, cleaned the organ pipes in 1975, and made his famous chocolate chip cookies for many bake sales.
The Quincy Area Parkinson’s Support Group became a reassuring part of his life when Parkinson’s disease was diagnosed in 2011. He completed the LSVT LOUD and BIG classes, exercised those daily, and participated in the Rock Steady Boxing for Parkinson’s at the YMCA.
For vacations he liked to travel as long as it included Sanibel Island, Florida for bird watching and collecting sea shells.
He dearly loved his children and grandchildren and always enjoyed time with them. It was a contest between him and them as to who could make the other laugh the loudest and longest.
Jim is survived by his wife of 58 years, Dienna, his daughter Susan, his son Michael, grandchildren Zoe, Zach, and Elizabeth, and his sisters Harriet (Douglas) Barringer and Janet Larsen. He was preceded in death by his parents and his in-laws, Russell and Bertha Danhaus.
A Memorial service will be held in the Unitarian Church at a later date.
Memorial contributions may be made to the Quincy Unitarian Church, Quincy Community Theatre, Quincy Symphony Chorus, or Blessing Hospice.