JAMES DRESCH
James “Clipper Jim” Dresch, 80, of Sioux Falls, died April 30, 2022, at Sanford USD Medical Center in Sioux Falls. Jim passed away peacefully surrounded by family after a long battle with Cystic Fibrosis.
Jim was born December 28, 1941 in Dell Rapids, SD to Clarence and Catherine (Schwebach) Dresch. After high school he attended barber college in Aberdeen and began his career in Sioux Falls at The Barber’s where he worked for 8 years before opening Clipper Jim’s in 1974.
On November 28 1969 he was united in marriage with Joan Roehr in Sioux Falls, SD.
They started their family in 1973 with the adoption of their son Scott, and later added to their family with the adoption of their daughter Macey in 1976.
Jim had many health issues throughout his lifetime but it wasn’t until his diagnosis of Cystic Fibrosis at the age of 50 that he found out the cause of many of these problems.
After this diagnosis Jim’s quality of life greatly improved. Despite this diagnosis Jim was determined to live life to its fullest and not let CF slow him down. Jim’s passion was to help find a cure for CF. In 2011 Jim started the Clipper Jim Invitational which is held annually at the Willow Run Golf Course and has currently raised over $500,000 for research to find a cure. The family plans to continue this tournament in honor of his legacy in hopes that one day a cure will be found.
Over the years Jim has enjoyed riding his motorcycle, boating in Okoboji, playing cards, golfing, and collecting John Deere replicas. Jim really enjoyed bird watching and “scaring” away the blackbirds and rabbits. One of his favorite pastimes was sitting in his favorite chair with his dog Coco on his lap watching westerns. Jim treasured his time with his many friends and family. He could be found most mornings having coffee with a group of friends, and Thursday nights playing cards at the Westward Ho. Jim loved his business and all of the lasting relationships he built with his customers. Jim’s positive attitude and love for life left a lasting impression on everyone who met him.
Grateful for having shared his life are his wife Joan, his son Scott and wife Julie, his daughter Macey, and his sister Jane Sebring. Granddaughters: Morgan, Trinity, Britton, and Katie. Great Granddaughters: Lily, Isabelle, Laken, Piper, and Laine.
Preceded in death by his parents and his sister Rita.
There will be a public viewing at Heritage Funeral home on Thursday, May 5 from 5-7 pm. Funeral services will be held at Holy Spirit Church in Sioux Falls Friday, May 6 at 10:30 am.
In lieu of flowers please consider a donation to the Cystic Fibrosis Foundation at cff.org.
An online guestbook and obituary are available at www.heritagesfsd.com