Jim Sirbasku

Jim Sirbasku March 30, 1939 February 23, 2010 Jim Sirbasku, beloved husband, father, grandfather, friend and mentor, passed away Tuesday, February 23rd. He brought out the best in all around him, as a motivator and supporter, and left everyone who met him better for having had the opportunity of knowing him. His smile was infectious and his hugs full of warmth and love. Mass of Christian Burial will be at 11:00 a.m. Saturday, February 27, at St. Louis Catholic Church with the Msgr. Mark Deering as Celebrant. Visitation will be from 5-8 p.m. Friday, February 26, at Wilkirson-Hatch-Bailey Garden Room. Jim was born 71 years ago in South St. Paul, Minnesota to Carmella and James Sirbasku, Sr. He attended South St. Paul High School where he ran track and played football. He received a BA from the University of Minnesota, and married his high school sweetheart, Judy, in June of 1959. They happily celebrated their golden wedding anniversary last summer surrounded by friends and family. Jim's stellar career began as a butcher in the meatpacking plant at King Packing, Inc. in South St. Paul. Eight years later, Jim joined SMI where he became an SMI Distributor and began building the organization in St. Paul. Jim and Judy moved to Waco and joined the SMI home office in 1968 where he worked for the next 23 years. In 1991, he and Bud Haney, his life long friend, founded Profiles International, a worldwide corporation of which he served as CEO until his death. To share their winning approach and attitude, they co-authored the book, 40 Strategies for Winning in Business. Through the years, Jim was involved in many other enterprises, including developing several successful businesses, residential real estate ventures and owning and operating the world's largest Egyptian-Arabian horse farm. He has been known as one of America's most enthusiastic speakers, addressing hundreds of audiences from coast to coast and at international conventions. As a spokesman for the free-enterprise system, Jim was a champion of the individual and promoted the cause of developing human potential. He believed in helping others achieve "the American Dream" and supported the entrepreneurial spirit, mentoring countless others who have gone on to start their own businesses. Jim's successes were noted by being honored with such awards as SMEI's prestigious Pinnacle Award for entrepreneurship and community growth, the State Economic Round Table of Oklahoma's Will Roger's Award, and the Sales Marketing Executives International Academy of Achievement inducting him into its Sales & Marketing Hall of Fame in 2002. Jim generously gave of his resources and served on many boards in Waco and made contributions to numerous charities and foundations, including being Co-Chairman of the Texas Air Expo in 1986 and serving on the Board of Directors at the Dwyer Group for many years. Among his countless friends were leaders in business and government throughout America and around the world. Jim Sirbasku was preceded in death by his mother, Carmella. He is survived by the love of his life, Judy; his son, David Sirbasku; and his daughter, Susan Priest and husband, Mike; granddaughters, Zoe, Sara, and Anna; and his father, Jim Sirbasku, Sr., all of Waco; as well as his brother, David Andrew Sirbasku of Flower Mound, TX; niece, Jill O'Rourke of Minnesota; nephew, Todd Nelson, of Florida; and many more nieces and nephews. Jim was fond of jokingly saying, "No good deed goes unpunished." But his life, with all of its warmth and generosity, was overflowing with deeds of love that rewarded him greatly with the devotion and respect of those around him. He will be greatly missed. In lieu of flowers, please make donations to Reicher Catholic High School, 2101 North 23rd Street, Waco TX 76708-3397, to the PKD Foundation www.pkdcure.org to support research for polycystic kidney disease or Fuzzy Friends Rescue. The family invites you to leave a message or memory in our "Memorial Guestbook" at www.wilkirsonhatchbailey.com.