James Costello

James Russell Costello, Jr. peacefully departed this world to enter into eternal life with the Lord at 8:50 am Central Time on February 10, 2015 in Plano, Texas, surrounded by family. Jim, as he preferred, was born in Denver, Colorado on November 10, 1918. He is survived by his beloved wife of 66 years, Caroline Ruth Drinkall-Costello. The eldest of the four children of James Russell Costello and Bernadette O'Donnell-Costello, Jim is survived by his sister, Bernadette Costello-Bauman of Arvada, Colorado and brothers, Eugene Costello of Denver, Colorado and Raymond Costello of Evergreen, Colorado. Jim is also survived by his daughter Kim Louise Costello-Wolpert of West Palm Beach, Florida, son and daughter-in law, Mark and Mary Costello of Plano, Texas as well as 5 grandsons, 2 great-grandchildren and many nieces and nephews, grandnieces and grandnephews. Jim graduated from Cathedral High School and earned a Bachelor of Science Degree from Regis College in Denver, Colorado. Ensuing post graduate studies earned Jim a Master's Degree of Science from St. Louis University in St. Louis, Missouri and a Doctorate in Organic Chemistry from the University of Notre Dame. Jim's studies at St. Louis University were interrupted by his enlistment in the United States Navy following the attack on Pearl Harbor, he was granted an honorable discharge near the war's end and returned to graduate school earning his first Master's Degree from St. Louis University and then enrolling at Notre Dame University for his Doctorate in Organic Chemistry. It was in South Bend where he fell in love with, and married his beloved Ruth Drinkall on September 3, 1949 following his graduation from ND earlier in that year. Jim had an impressive career in the chemical industry which led him and Ruth to making their first home in Chicago Heights and then Leawood, Kansas a suburb of Kansas City where Jim pursued and earned his MBA at the University of Missouri-Kansas City. It was in Kansas City where Jim and Ruth began their family by adopting their son and daughter through Catholic Charities. Subsequent corporate moves to the Costello's to Nassau Bay, Texas from which Jim commuted to Bay City, TX and later to Michigan City, Indiana, where Ruth spent her childhood and from which Jim commuted to Chicago via the South Shore Railroad. Jim's last corporate stop was Parsippany, New Jersey where he and Ruth lived in Andover, a small town in the north central Sussex County. Having risen to senior management positions with several global-leading chemical corporations, Jim retired from BASF in 1985 and Ruth and he made one final move to Plano, Texas where they have enjoyed their retirement for 30 years. During retirement years Jim enjoyed being active as a Eucharistic Minister at St. Elizabeth Ann Seton Catholic Church in Plano, Texas. He was especially proud of his service for funerals and delivery the Eucharist to the sick and shut-in Catholics in the Plano area. Jim was a devoted husband and father, humble and always charming with a quick wit. He always enjoyed his family and friends and was an ardent fan of Notre Dame Football. Jim was always a humble man but his family is extremely proud of his devotion to his family, God and country. His financial support of Catholic charities and his alma maters were as unwavering as his extraordinary faith, which was an example to all. Funeral Mass will be celebrated in Jim's honor on Thursday, February 19, 2015 at 11:00 am at St. Elizabeth Ann Seton Catholic Church, 2700 W Spring Creek Pkwy, Plano, Texas. A Rosary will precede the Mass at 10:00 am and interment in the parish Columbarium will immediately follow the funeral Mass with a reception in the Parish Hall.