James B Somday

James B Somday

James B. Somday was born on April 25, 1934 to James and Rose (Gua) Somday, just prior to his identical twin, Michael “Mike” Nicodemus. James, also known as Junior, was born and raised in Colville reservation in Washington state where he was a member of the Colville Confederated Tribes.

He served in the military for four years in the U.S. Coast Guard prior to completing his first year of teaching as a volunteer teacher in Fairbanks, Alaska. He later taught in the Peace Corps in Puno, Peru. It was during this time that he met his beloved wife, Francisca Caceres in Puno. They were married for over 50 years until her death in February of 2020.

James taught several University level courses at various institutions related to cross cultural education, second language acquisition, team building, and teacher education. In Chicago, he worked in bilingual education programs and school governance.

Over the course of his career, James earned a Bachelor’s Degree, Master’s Degree, and a PhD in Education. His PhD dissertation included writing one of the first Colville language dictionaries in 1983, “Colville Indian Language Dictionary,” which is still referenced in works by more recent scholars of the Salishan-Okanogan language.

In the 1980s he participated in a cross-cultural exchange in Japan to learn about the Japanese educational system, an experience he cherished and referenced fondly throughout his life.

He truly loved teaching English, which he taught for over 25 years. Until a year before his passing, at the age of 90, he was still teaching English classes at both St. Clare and St. Rita parishes.

He is preceded in death by his parents James and Rose (Gua) Somday, by his wife Francisca Somday, as well as all his siblings, five brothers, and two sisters.

James was survived by many beloved nieces and nephews as well as grand-nieces and grand-nephews, to whom he was known as Uncle Jimmy and Uncle Junior. He is also survived by his dear sisters-in-law Maria Somday (wife of his late brother Mike), and Maria D. Fischinger (husband Thomas, sister of his late wife Francisca).

His nieces and nephews include Mike’s children: Joe Somday, Mary Louie, Rose Ellis and Michelle Somday (husband Mike); Steve’s children: Christie and Susie Somday; the nieces and nephews through his marriage to Francisca Somday: Maria M. Fischinger, Dolores Fischinger (husband Feodor Gloss), and Cesar Macedo Caceres. His grandnieces and nephews include: Rachel Abbink (husband Brian), Michael Somday, Jennifer Golla (husband Seth), Thomas Somday, Nicholas Louie, Robinson Ellis, Christopher Louie, Taylor Ellis (wife Lexi), Aja Ellis, Justice Somday, Isaac Gloss, Nicholas Gloss, and Veronica Walter.

His kind nature, thoughtful precision and exactitude with language, gentle inquisitiveness, and the twinkle in his eye as he told a good story will be fondly remembered by many. He is and will be deeply missed.

Visitation Services at Church: Thursday, October 16, 2025 from 9:00 a.m. until time of Funeral Mass at 10:00 a.m. at St Clare of Montefalco Church, 5443 S Washtensaw Ave

*No services at Funeral Home