https://www.deefuneralhome.com/obituaries/James-Thomas-Lux?obId=12468384&fbclid=IwAR23NEcnIuKRviQhZwUI7xpp0C9HNIN2R4rrd_CHFG_JHBNawMizGELdpdg#/obituaryInfoJames Thomas Lux
April 12, 1982 - March 14, 2020
Obituary
James Thomas Lux, 37, died Saturday, March 14, 2020, at his home in Wayland, Mass., surrounded by his family, a little more than a year after being diagnosed with colon cancer.
His greatest achievement was the family he created with Jen, his partner in life and love. They were a consummate team, through times good and bad. A devoted father, Jim made sure to ingrain in their twins, Calvin and Oliver, and daughter Juliette, the important things in life: good books, Legos, all things Disney, video games and the value of a well-timed joke.
He was a graduate of Northwestern University and “a law school outside of Boston,” and spent his career at the Wilmer Hale firm in Boston. Honest, trustworthy and principled, he treasured his family and was loyal to his friends. The latter was an ever-expanding tribe drawn to him throughout his life. He kept them in touch and entertained on social media; with a recent health update, though, he drew on more heart than wit.
“I love you all. In big ways and small, in ways that you may not even have been aware, you've all made my life and my world immeasurably better. Thank you for that. It means more to me than you'll ever know.”
He had a remarkable memory and appetite for trivia. A kindred spirit was the other Calvin, the titular kid from his beloved “Calvin and Hobbes” strip: “I'm not dumb. I just have a command of thoroughly useless information.” Jim deftly changed gears from arcane legal principles or historical references to broad humor or movie quotes and back. Likewise, he was armed with a keen sense of humor he could aim high or low; if he bestowed one of his cringeworthy puns, people knew they’d groan on him.
He began debating his freshman year at Glenbrook South High School and it changed his life — it led him to Northwestern (where he met Jennifer), and into law, and to many of his dearest, lifelong friends. He loved the whole world of debate, including its idiosyncratic culture, customs, language and inhabitants.
A cheerful contrarian, he enjoyed the challenge of the road less taken. Two decades on, he still reveled in his stratagem for a required high school course, so-called “Life Skills,” taking it pass/fail and squeaking through. Instead, he used his brains (he had extra) on more compelling subjects: justice, ethics, literature, cinema, hot sports takes, under-appreciated TV shows and Disney trip planning.
Though his devotion to all things House of Mouse and his sometimes excruciating jokes made him an ideal candidate, he never fulfilled his desired mid-career course-correction to Disney Jungle Cruise skipper/Imagineer. Instead he helmed the logistics of his extended family's frequent trips to Disney World, reckoning how best to maximize fun and minimize wait times.
He was a gifted writer, deploying his intelligence, compassion and either goofy or devastating wit, depending on the topic he was addressing — whether the latest social or political outrage, a favorite episode of “The Office,” the passing of a dear friend, or simply his own guileless social gaffes. Entertaining and persuasive, he may have missed his calling as a sports columnist or political pundit.
His life’s passions included the Cubs (beginning the torture in childhood), the Liverpool Football Club of the English Premier League, all other Chicago sports teams, documentaries on the World Wars, well-loved, fitted ballcaps with perfectly curved brims, Portillo’s, Hackney’s, reading stories for the kids and dramatizing different voices for each character, “Love Actually,” Jeopardy! and Kraft Macaroni & Cheese, which Canadians are astute enough to equate with dinner.
In life skills, Jim didn't simply pass, nor avoid failing. He achieved a score beyond calculation. (It’s as if he were battling the Zurg Empire.)
In addition to his wife Jennifer and children Calvin, Oliver and Juliette, Jim is survived by his parents Maureen and Thomas Lux, his sister Kathryn (Joshua) Rudawitz, nephews Samuel and Jack Rudawitz, niece Eleanor Rudawitz, grandparents Richard and Velma Lux and Dolores Carney Shipp, aunts Julie (Dan) Rosenbaum, Mary Beth (Phil) Pacsi, Karen Mix, Susan Carney, uncle Steve (Megan Garvey) Carney, cousins Evan Carney, Jamie Kettleson, Adam (Mollie Baxley) Pacsi, Dominica (Sean) Vanderhoof, Ellen (Raziel) Shields, Dominic Rosenbaum, Declan Carney and Brendan Carney, mother-in-law Julie Cheung, father-in-law Jimmy Cheung, brother-in-law Dr. Jimmy Cheung and countless, devoted friends. Jim is preceded in death by grandfather Thomas Carney, aunt Kathleen Carney, uncle Michael Carney and step-grandfather Dr. John R. Shipp.
Because of restrictions due to COVID-19, there will be no public visitation at this time. A private funeral service will be held, followed by burial at Edgell Grove Cemetery in Framingham. The family plans to hold joyful celebrations of Jim’s life in Boston and in Chicago when all are once again able to travel and gather. In the meantime, the family invites you to send any stories, pictures and memories you wish to share to: RememberingJimLux@gmail.com
In lieu of flowers, gifts may be made to The Lux Children Educational Fund in care of Thomas Lux, 130 Black Bear Drive #1312, Waltham, MA 02451 or to the Young Onset Colorectal Cancer Center at Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, P.O. Box 849168, Boston, MA 02284.
Arrangements are under the care of Dee Funeral Home & Cremation Service of Concord.
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