James George Philleo
James George Philleo passed away at his home in Riberas del Pilar on January 6, following a long illness.
Philleo was born July 7, 1949, in Fairbanks, Alaska, and graduated from Lathrop High School in Fairbanks, where he loved playing saxophone in the band. He went on to earn his bachelor’s degree from the University of Oregon, where he met his future wife, Barbara Susan Strauss. Together, the two traveled widely before returning to Fairbanks, building a home on a two-acre property outside of town.
Philleo managed and eventually became the owner of the business started by his father, Interior Graphics and Copy. An accomplished businessman, he devoted 35 years of hard work to its success.
Philleo was a proud father, husband and Alaskan. He enjoyed cross-country skiing with his dogs. He loved getting away to the family’s rustic log cabins: his father’s on the Salcha River, and the one he built later at Chena Hot Springs. Philleo loved everything that involved wood, from providing and using firewood to creating pieces of furniture in his later years.
Jim and Barb took up figure skating and ice dancing, becoming active members of the Fairbanks Figure Skating Club. His ice activities also included curling, and continued as an enthusiastic hockey dad. He also became an accomplished chef and especially enjoyed serving as chef at the “Brat Booth” for Fairbanks Gold Kings hockey games.
Philleo fulfilled his lifelong dream of retiring at an early age. Beginning in 2007, he spent his final years enjoying the pastel views of Lake Chapala. It was a place where he loved learning the language, sampling the food and immersing himself in a culture of relaxation.
Philleo and his wife separated in 2014. She currently resides in Cary, North Carolina. He is also survived by his son, Crawford, and fiancée, Jamie Bryant, in Chicago, Illinois; his daughter, Jaren, and husband, Ben Atherholt, in New Orleans, Louisiana; and his sister, Melba Gregor, in Florida.