James Skelly Warren

James Skelly Warren passed away peacefully with the backdrop of a magnificent sunrise on March 13th, 2025, after having been gifted 78 years well lived, and demonstrating how to live life to the fullest even while wrestling with cancer. His parents Raymond Leslie Warren and Marjorie (nee Skelly) Warren preceded him in death. He is survived by his soul mate and beloved wife Judith Anne Warren (nee Goodman); his children Joshua Skelly Warren (Kayla Wiley), Jacob Alan Warren, and Olivia Anne Warren (Matthew Borths); four grandchildren Maxwell and Ellie Warren, Jude Skelly Warren and Josephine Rosemary Borths; Siblings Richard Warren (Barbara), David Warren (Carolyn) and Laura Warren (James Alworth); brother-in-law Alan Goodman (Yolanda Agra); nieces Molly Wimbiscus (Joel) and Melissa Vincel (Matt) and their families; nephews Jason Alworth and Michael Goodman Agra, and many other beloved chosen family members.

Skelly was born on June 28, 1946, right at the start of the baby boom. His childhood was idyllic; his first six years in Itasca, Illinois, and then in La Porte, Texas. His parents were loving and nurturing and his siblings were wonderful co-adventurers. The world was his oyster, almost literally on the Gulf Coast. He was active in school without learning a great deal, enjoying the social aspects of school life, and accepted his “southern upbringing” without question, a fact that would haunt him for the rest of his life.

Although he resisted her call, Theatre was his muse. The most important experiences in his life were seeing a performance of "Rumpelstiltskin", at the Goodman Theatre and "My Fair Lady", also in Chicago. He was an unenthused student at LSU for his first two years tacitly claiming to be doing pre-law work, whatever that may have meant. He altered his major to “drama” in his third year at University of Houston which changed his attitude and his life. After graduating from the University of Houston and ROTC he combined these with summer gigs in live shows at SIX FLAGS OVER TEXAS and then, paradoxically enough, his stint in the US Army Artillery from 1969-71 highlighted by a serious attack on a herd of water buffalo in the Central Highlands of Vietnam.

Then his world began. Miraculously he was accepted to Northwestern University on the GI bill and learned more about theatre in three years than he had learned about anything in his life. It was also there that he met his soul mate and partner of over 50 years, Judith Anne. Together they nurtured three children celebrating and exploring life and Jewish traditions, and later four grandchildren. He found joy and fulfillment in teaching and producing theatre and made friends wherever he and Judy went. Their journey took them to many wonderful places in the world but mainly to Racine, Wisconsin, and Grand Lake, Colorado, where they produced theatre and spent joyous lives with their family, friends and students for over forty years. Skelly used to tell people that they had to keep quiet about how happy he was in his work at the University of Wisconsin -Parkside, or he’d have to start giving his salary back. The two things he was most proud of were his family and the work he and Judy and their company did in bringing the Rocky Mountain Repertory back in perpetuity to Grand Lake. He remained happy until his death, and would like to thank his family, friends and students for the happiest of lives. He will always love you all.

A memorial service will be held on Wednesday, March 26, at the University of Wisconsin-Parkside, in the Black Box Theatre that Skelly, along with his best friend Keith Harris, spent years helping to create. Visitation with the family will be from noon to 1:00 p.m., and the Memorial Service will be held from 1:00-2:00 p.m.

In lieu of flowers please donate to your favorite charity.