Cover photo for Fr.  James Jeffrey's Obituary
Fr.  James Jeffrey Profile Photo
Fr.

Fr. James Jeffrey

d. May 28, 2017

Fr. James Jeffrey was born on June 15, 1933 in Grand Forks, ND to Clarence J. and Winifred ( Brady) Jeffrey.

He was ordained a Roman Catholic Priest for service to the Diocese of Fargo, ND, on May 30, 1959. His first assignment was to St. John the Evangelist Parish and St. Joseph Hospital as chaplain, both in Grafton, ND, from September 1, 1959 to August 31, 1964.

Following this initial ministry assignment, his bishop and diocese released Fr. Jeffrey to join the Apostolate of the Missionary Society of St. James for service in Latin America and the people of Peru. For 22 years, until September 14, 1986, he had the privilege of serving the people of Peru, South America.

On September 15, 1986, Fr. Jeffrey returned to the U.S., first pastoring parishes in Brownsville, TX (Christ the King Parish), and Laferia, TX (St. Francis Xavier Parish) for a total of two years. He then returned to his home Diocese of Fargo, ND, where from July 15, 1988 to June 30, 1999, he was pastor of three parishes: St. Brigid's (Cavalier, ND), Sts. Nereus & Achillas, (Neche, ND), and St. Thomas (St. Thomas, ND).

Fr. Jeffrey retired from formal ministry on July 1, 1999. He then moved to Belleville, IL, to be near his sister. Eventually he resided at the Hincke-Sense Residence for Retired Priests in Belleville, IL. With continuing passion to be involved with service to the people of God, especially Hispanic/Latin heritage, Fr. Jeffrey quickly became an integral member of the Hispanic Ministry of the Catholic Diocese of Belleville, IL. While he primarily served the Hispanic population at Damiansville, IL, (St. Damian's Parish) Clinton County, IL, and surrounding counties, he also traveled throughout Southern Illinois (Shawneetown, Cobden, Fairmont City, etc.) to bring the Eucharist, and the compassion, mercy, dignity and respect, and God's forgiveness through his presence and Sacramental ministry of the Catholic Church. This continued until his physical strength declined.

He is survived by nieces and nephews: David Hutcheson (Belleville, IL), Jill Byrne (Oklahoma City, OK), John Hutcheson (Midland, MI), Anne Roth (Champaign, IL) Mark Hutcheson and Peggy Hutcheson (Fayetteville/ Mascoutah, IL), Michael Hutcheson (Trenton, IL), Judi MacDonell, and Christi Jeffrey Bragg (San Jose, CA).

He was preceded in death by his parents; his sister, Patricia (George) Hutcheson; a brother, William (Geri) Jeffrey; and a nephew, Jason Jeffrey (San Jose, CA).

Fr. James Jeffrey passed away May 28, 2017 at Belleville Memorial Hospital, Belleville, IL. Memorial Mass will be held Monday, June 12, 2017, at 11:00 a.m. at the St. Brigid's Catholic Church, Cavalier, ND.

To order memorial trees or send flowers to the family in memory of Fr. James Jeffrey, please visit our flower store.

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