South Denver native, Jim MacDonnell, 76, died peacefully at home Saturday, Jan.13, 2024. He was the eldest of nine siblings raised by Julian E. MacDonnell ( Bucky) and Mary Ann Sullivan MacDonnell.

Jim attended Sullivan Elementary, Ashgrove Elementary, Cherry Creek Jr. High, Merrill  Jr,  High, South High and graduated from Arvada West High School. He attended the University of Wyoming on a baseball scholarship, graduating Dec. of 1969, majoring in Marketing and Business Administration.

Having signed a contract with the Chicago White Sox Organization in the Spring of '69, Jim began his professional baseball career in Duluth MN. He married his CSU college sweetheart, Kathlin Tobiason, (Kathy) on 10/10/1970, and went on to pitch for the Asheville Tourists, Knoxville Sox, and the Des Moines Oaks.

Jim had business vocations in both Laramie, WY. and Denver, CO following his pitching career. He helped form Games People Play, & High Country Games and Music in Laramie which led to the formation of the Plainsmen Partnership of properties in Denver.

He formally entered the commercial real estate world in Denver working for Marcus  & Millichap and Unique Properties Ltd.,Inc. These experiences allowed him to eventually help create three companies: Trinity Properties, a real estate brokerage company, IntraStaff, an employee leasing firm and MacDonnell & Company, an investment Real Estate Brokerage firm.

As Denver's commercial real estate market declined, Jim looked once again to Chicago. He was hired by Sheldon Good & Company as their Denver agent specializing in the auction program for commercial real estate. Jim retired from his successful career as the Executive Managing Director and Partner, Sheldon Good & Company International LLC.

Retirement brought Jim an avocation working for his brothers, Tom & Tim at their Westwoods ACE Hardware store, which he thoroughly enjoyed.

Jim is survived by his loving wife, Kathy, four children, Melissa Chaney, John (Lara), Megan Sherwood (Nate), Julie MacDonnell and 12 grandchildren, Ione Fried, Fynn Chaney, Merrily, Ishyn, Elias, Amado, Luciano MacDonnell, Mallory, Magdalena, Ivy Sherwood, Julian, Sullivan LeClaire. Siblings Susan Mock (Mark), Tim MacDonnell, Nancy MacDonnell (Kerri), Mark MacDonnell (Kim), Mike MacDonnell (Marcy), In -laws Kris Joy, Steve & Bernie Tobiason, Kevin Tobiason. Jim is also survived by numerous nieces, nephews, great nieces and nephews.  He was preceded in death by siblings Kathy Supel, Tom MacDonnell, & Dave MacDonnell, nephews, Joe Supel and Ryan MacDonnell, sisters-in-law, Marilyn MacDonnell and Kathleen MacDonnell.

Jim will be missed by many friends, family members, neighbors and colleagues.

Donations to the charity of your choice or Elevation Hospice in Jim's name will be greatly appreciated.

A celebration of life will occur July of 2024.