James Burkart

James Benjamin Burkart died of complications from ALS, commonly Lou Gehrig’s disease, on April 4, 2025 in Blairsville, Ga. He is survived by his spouse, Molly Lillich Burkart (married 1971); two sons, Robert and Thomas; and three grandchildren, Samantha, Matthew and Evelyn. He was predeceased by his parents Harold and Rosamond Burkart and his brother, Charles.

Born in 1947 in Glen Ridge, N.J., he graduated from Indiana University with a bachelor’s degree in economics. He worked at investment banks and stock brokerages as a Portfolio Manager, retired early at 58 and traded his own account until his passing. His special skill was meeting with company leaders and assessing their business acumen and companies for investment. Jim prided himself on many successful “singles” investment wins rather than searching only for home runs. Jim’s wide-ranging intelligence meant he was deeply curious and informed on economics, sports, politics, national and international affairs. He was an endless fountain of well-reasoned, thoughtful, informed opinions.

Jim and Molly started their family while living in Charlotte, NC. Jim stopped smoking before Rob was born. His first stop after the birth was the cigarette machine in the lobby of the hospital. Stopped smoking again before Tom was born and then he was back at the cigarette machine. A very cold 1984 Chicago winter eventually kicked the habit for good.

Molly and Jim lived in Hinsdale, Il., for 25 years. It had a lovely, small-town atmosphere with quick access to downtown Chicago. Jim rode his scooter (referred to as Scoot Scoot) to the local station for the express train to Chicago. Jim made fast friends with people he found that tweaked his wide-ranging intelligence. On a trip to London, Jim made a point of going to visit the Economist magazine offices. Jim lived a full and rich life of work, family, lots of golf and tennis and international travel with our beloved travel group.

Just before 2005, Molly and Jim moved to a downtown Chicago condo on the river a mile from Millenium Park. They strolled to concerts at Grant Park in the summers. The condo introduced them to life in a city. New friends and restaurants, concerts and festivals were great times.

In 2009, they moved to Seabrook Island, S.C., where Molly oversaw her father Jack Lillich’s retirement years at the Bishop Gadsden facility. Jim once famously said of the Lillich family, “they were often wrong but never in doubt.” Someone in the Lillich family was always gabbing and misinformation abounded. Fully retired, Jim slid into Seabrook golf, tennis and social events as happy as a pig in mud.

He had a sly and wry sense of humor and took great joy in his grandchildren. He was the favorite of longtime family pet “Kitty” who would look out the window and cry, sure he was never to return, when Jim walked out to the road to fetch his Wall Street Journal. Now that Jim is gone, Kitty roams the house howling for her beloved pal.

Jim was an automobile devotee (an attribute that he passed along to his sons) and legendary iron-bottomed long-distance driver. On long road trips from South Carolina to Chicago to see their sons and grandkids, he and Molly listened on tape to all of Dickens, Trollope, Tolstoy and more.

They moved to Alpharetta and to the TVA Lake Nottely midway through the pandemic. This meant easier access to the grandchildren and newly moved to Atlanta Tom. There was boating, swimming and sailing. Jim would wiggle the floating lake mat to try to bounce the kids into the water. It was great fun and earned him the nickname “Mr. Wiggle.”

Jim did not “go gentle into that good night.” ALS progressively takes everything it can steal. Jim and Molly lived with the cruel disease for 3 years. Jim did not want to be a vegetable. His early and peaceful death granted this wish. Jim had not been able to speak or swallow for almost 2 years.

Jim’s witty humor, keen intellect, and insightful perspective will be greatly missed. He left an everlasting imprint on everyone he met. Details of a memorial are still to be decided. In the meantime, for those that wish, donations to ALS United of Georgia are welcome.

Donor information:

ALS United of Georgia

227 Sandy Springs Place Suite D304

Sandy Springs, GA 30328

404-636-9909

Alsgeorgia.org