James Neil McInnes

James Neil “Jim” McInnes, 100, passed away on February 14, 2026, in Denver, Colorado. Born on November 17, 1925, in Sandwich, Illinois, Jim spent nearly all of his long life rooted in the community he loved. For the past three decades, he divided his time between Sandwich and Scottsdale, Arizona, before moving to Denver last year to be closer to family.

Jim grew up on a small farm in Sandwich, Illinois during the Great Depression, an experience that shaped his lifelong discipline, frugality, and steady nature. He learned early that farming wasn’t his calling and instead pursued higher education through the Navy ROTC program during World War II. He graduated from Monmouth College and returned to Sandwich, where he began what would become a nearly 50‑year career at the Sandwich State Bank. Through hard work, integrity, and a deep commitment to his hometown, he rose to become the bank’s President. During his tenure, he led the bank's expansion far beyond its small‑town beginnings, growing to serve multiple communities across northern Illinois before ultimately selling the bank holding company to the First National Bank of Omaha. Generations of local families knew him as a trusted, polished, and reliable presence in the community.

In 1965, Jim married Joan Sorensen, and together they raised two sons, John and Jim II. He was an outstanding father — always present at his sons’ sporting events, school activities, and milestones. His grandchildren knew him as steady, wise, and quietly humorous, often sharing his practical financial advice: “You only get to spend it once,” and “It’s not what you earn, it’s what you spend.”

Jim was well known for his remarkable health and vitality. He was an accomplished golfer and a fixture at Edgebrook Golf Course, where he won the very first club championship. He continued to play golf throughout his life, regularly shooting better than his age beginning at 72 — and even doing so at 99. Though always polished and courteous in public, an errant golf shot could prompt a burst of colorful language that never appeared anywhere except the fairway.

He loved sporty, low‑to‑the‑ground two‑door cars and drove them until age 99, still able to get in and out of them with ease. He took great joy in long drives through the countryside in Illinois, Arizona, and Colorado. A lifelong Chicago White Sox fan, he also enjoyed daily walks, reading the newspaper, and completing crossword puzzles well into his 100th year. Evenings often ended with ice cream and a Western — and when asked what he wanted to watch, he would reliably reply, “How about a nice Western.”

Jim is survived by his sons, John (Susan Hall) McInnes of Carmel, IN and Jim McInnes II of Denver, CO; his grandchildren Jeffrey, Nina, Jack, Colin, and Caroline; and his nephew Bill Creswell and niece Kitty Creswell. He was preceded in death by his sister Jean McInnes Creswell, his parents Harry and Lila McInnes, and his former wife Joan Sorensen McInnes.

Jim lived a full century with remarkable health, steadiness, and quiet humor. His longevity amazed everyone who knew him, and when asked how he managed to remain so spry late in life, he always gave the same answer: “Swing the golf club every day.” He will be remembered as a devoted father, a respected banker and enduring figure in his hometown, and a man whose reliability and vitality carried him gracefully through 100 extraordinary years.

A service is being planned in Sandwich, Illinois, where Jim will be laid to rest beside his parents at Oak Ridge Cemetery. Details will be shared with family and friends once arrangements are finalized.