Obituary of James Neil Packer

Jim passed away on January 17th, 2023 surrounded by his family after a heart failure procedure. He is survived by his loving wife of 44 years Kathy and children Tim (Angie), Tom (Angelique), Pete, Tracy (Milo), Steve and Holly (Bob). He is also survived by 18 grandchildren, Tyler, Ashley, Evan, Blake and Corbin Martinson-Packer; Josh, Kaitlyn, Mackenzie and Cassandra Martinson; Kelly and Nick Packer, Jaci and Justyn Bongard. Jim also had 7 great-grandchildren. He was proceeded in death by his parents Neil and Holly Packer. He has three siblings – John, Jeff and Jeanne (Rosen) Packer and many nieces and nephews.

Jim was born in Marshalltown, Iowa and moved to the Twin Cities area when he was two. He spent his childhood in south Minneapolis before his family moved to Bloomington in 1957. He attended Bloomington High School and graduated in 1961. He played football all through high school and was on championship teams. He developed a love of cars in his teens and that was a lifelong passion. After high school he attended Dunwoody Technical School and graduated as a mechanical engineer. He started his career as a draftsman in the HVCA industry and spent his entire career in that field. He was a salesman and contractor through his career and was still at work when he passed away doing what he loved, being a salesman. Jim spent many years as a member of MSRA and enjoyed his hobby of classic cars. He started out with a love of Corvettes but later turned his passion into street rods of which he had several through the years. He made many lifelong friends through his membership in the Twin Cities Roadsters Club.

Jim was very active in his church, St. Stephens Lutheran Church of West St. Paul, MN. He held many leadership positions on the church council. He was one of the leaders that joined and inspired many followers to Minnesota ViaDeCristo. Jim was a follower of Jesus Christ and was willing to tell and express his love of the Lord to all who knew him. He loved his family and friends and will be truly missed. He has left quite a legacy of generosity and how to show love to those around you.

Services will be held at his home church on Friday, January 27th at 11:00 o’clock am with visitation one hour prior to the service. St. Stephens Lutheran Church, 1575 Charlton Street, West St. Paul, MN