James Haley Tully

In great respect and love, we announce the death of James Haley Tully, formerly of Marshall, MN. 

After spending Christmas Eve and Christmas Day surrounded by all of his children, grandchildren and great children celebrating the very best of family traditions with love and laughter, Jim died on January 1, 2025 at Park View Nursing Home in Woodville, WI, at the age of 90.

Jim was born on June 17, 1934 to Frank and Victorine (Haley) Tully, for whom he was child number four, and a surprise. Jim’s father told his mother “Don’t be silly Vick” when she told him she thought she was pregnant at age 42. His nearest sibling Grace was 16 years older and mothered him like only a sister could. He idolized his brothers Frank and Joe and remained close with all of their children.

Jim graduated from High School at Breck Military Academy in Minneapolis and attended Notre Dame and St. John’s University in Collegeville MN after graduation. He remained an avid and interested learner.

Jim met love of his life, Sally Rae (Schill) Tully on a blind date and they eloped to Michigan on December 27, 1954. At that time, a Catholic and Protestant getting married was a big deal; their love for one another through thick and thin began at the outset of their relationship and remained fierce throughout their lives. 

Jim was a believer in the dignity of all persons and when, at a young age, he visited Florida, (which was often), he made it a point to drink out of the “Colored” drinking fountains. As an adult, he regularly hosted people of other nationalities during the days when St. John’s University closed their dorms over holidays and made sure his children understood that people of all skin color and sexual orientation are beautiful.  

Jim loved Jazz music and was good enough on the bass to play in the Jack McMar Trio and for North Star Records. His embrace of the music scene led him to being backstage with Ella Fitzgerald, where they discovered mutual admiration for Lester Young. Jim said he loved Lester’s ‘Two Sleepy People’ and Ella sang it for him. He also found his way backstage with Sarah Vaughn, where he admitted he was torn because her performance was equal to Ella’s, which earned him a kiss.

Jim loved to hunt. Whether it was geese, elk, deer, pheasant, duck or prairie dogs, he was ready to go. He also loved to fish and raised his children on lakes and rivers, passing on his love of nature. He was a Boy Scout Leader and took the boys on many camping trips.

He and Sally were the perfect dance partners, especially to jazz but any good band would do.

Jim loved to golf and golfed all the great courses in both Ireland and Scotland in addition to across the US and at his local courses in Marshall and Minneota. 

He was well known for his way with animals, especially his many large yellow labs and springers, but also horses, cats, and yes, pet skunks, Sweet Pea and Petunia, who he rescued from the ditch when their mother was killed.

After losing his sight, Jims’s love of music and willingness to learn new ways of doing old things kept his attitude positive, allowing him to continue being the loving and supportive patriarch of the Tully family.

Jim was a grocer most of his working life and truly enjoyed it. He was with Red Owl for many years and moved to Marshall, MN as manager of Super Value’s County Market, where he eventually retired. You could find him on the floor of the store with customers any time of the day.

Jim was a Paul Harris Fellow recipient, an award acknowledging the many years of active involvement and service in Rotary; he truly believed in and supported the work and core values of Rotary: service, fellowship, diversity, integrity and leadership.

Jim’s love of life and dedication to the things he cared about knew no bounds. His laughter was spontaneous and contagious. His caring was evident in both words and deeds. 

He was proud of his Irish heritage and made it a point to learn all he could about his ancestry and the travels of ‘his people’. Even after losing his sight, his eyes carried that Irish twinkle we all loved when he smiled.

Jim loved a good martini, enjoyed visiting with all the people he came in contact with and had a strong faith which served him well. 

Jim was a long-time active member of St. James Episcopal Church in Marshall serving on the Vestry and as treasurer and embracing the love of community there.

Jim is survived by five children, James (and Susan) of Ramsey, Coleen (and Steve) of Tyler, Michael (and Bonnie) of Spring Valley, Wis., Daniel of Baldwin, Wis., and Kathleen of Big Lake; grandchildren, Patrick (and Abby) Foley, Melissa (and Steve) Knecht, Shannon (and Marty) Johannsen, Breyen Thomsen, Megan (and Josh) Kieselhorst, James, Brian (and Santana), Kayla, Nathaniel (and Liz), Derrik (and Jackie), Alexander, Samantha, Sally and Danni Tully, Jessica, Victoria and Gabrielle Moffitt; great-grandchildren Jaimy, Reuben (and Delany), Zebulon, Abagail, Zechariah, Elizabeth, Michael, Kenny, Lily, Emma, Roland, Reece, Wyatt, Evelyn, Sawyer, Asher, Walker, Paxton, Blake, Averie, Evan and Griffin. 

He leaves behind beloved nieces and nephews, Vicky, Katy, Mary, David, Patrick, Mimi, Libby, Grace, Ryan and their families and many friends too numerous to name, but not too many to love. 

Jim was preceded in death by his parents, his siblings, his nephews Mark, Kevin and Tully and his beloved great - grandchildren Landon and Spencer.

He was also predeceased by his wife, Sally. He told his son after she passed that he was not afraid to die, knowing he that didn't get to choose how or when, but he would live as best he could until it was time for him to join her on the other side ... and that’s exactly what he did.

The funeral service  will take place at 1:00 p.m. on Wednesday, January 22, 2025, at St. James Episcopal Church in Marshall. Visitation will be Tuesday, January 21, from 5:00 p.m. – 7:00 p.m. at the Horvath Remembrance Center in Marshall. Interment will take place at a later date in Spring Lake, WI.