Jim "Sully" Sullivan

James Joseph Sullivan, 64, passed away unexpectedly on Nov. 1, 2016 at the family home. He was born on November 14, 1951 in La Junta, Colorado to Franklyn and Mary Frances Sullivan.

Jim was a 1969 graduate of La Junta High School. He also earned bachelor's and master’s degrees in education at Colorado State University.

Jim had a long career in baseball that began at age seven. He was drafted by the Washington Senators out of high school, but opted to go to college and play for the CSU Rams and for the Grand Junction semi-pro team during summers. Jim was chosen to play for the USA College All-Star team representing the United States in a series of games in Japan. After graduating from CSU, Jim was drafted into the New York Yankees organization and played minor league ball for two years before an injury ended his career.

After his playing career ended, Jim returned to La Junta and continued his career in baseball as head baseball coach for La Junta High School, a role he held for seventeen years. The Tigers won the state championship four times during the “Sullyball” era, along with three state runner-ups, multiple playoff appearances, and an overall 208-98 record. Jim was inducted into the Colorado Dugout Club’s Hall of Fame in 2012.

Jim left coaching to take on leadership roles within the La Junta schools, first as principal of the high school and later as superintendent. Jim retired from the school district in 2010 after more than a thirty-year career of working with La Junta’s young people.

Jim is survived by his wife of forty years, Susan (Skuderna) Sullivan and two children, Tim (Amanda) Sullivan and Kelli (Danny) Marx. He leaves behind six grandchildren, Alayna, Quinn, and Colin Sullivan and Will, Josslyn, and Peyton Marx. Jim is also survived by two sisters, Patty (Gerald) Parkhill and Margaret Davidson.

Jim was preceded in death by his parents Franklyn and Mary Frances Sullivan and his sister Mary Ann Rains.

Services will be held Thursday, November 10, beginning at 1:30 p.m. with the Holy Rosary and Funeral Mass to follow at 2:00 p.m. at Our Lady of Guadalupe/St. Patrick Parish in La Junta. An inurnment will follow the Mass at Calvary Cemetery. Following the cemetery service, all are welcome to Tiger Gym for a memorial reception.

Those wishing to do so may make a memorial contribution to the American Cancer Society (www.cancer.org/donate) or the Colorado Saint Bernard Rescue (www.coloradosaintbernardrescue.org) or the American Hearth Association (www.donatenow.heart.org).

Peacock-Larsen Funeral Home & Arkansas Valley Crematory is in charge of arrangements.