James Cmejrek (IABE '66)

James R. “Jim” Cmejrek (IABE ’66), a very successful Workers Compensation and Personal Injury attorney and former Iowa Hawkeye football player, entered the Chapter Eternal on Saturday, January 30, 2016 in Hilton Head, SC.  He was age 71.

 
Cmejrek, who lived in Ann Arbor, MI, was born on August 15, 1944 in Fenton, MI and grew up on nearby Lake Ponemah.  He was the youngest son of the late Joseph and Bessie Cmejrek.
 
He attended Fenton High School where he was an accomplished student athlete, earning nine varsity letters in football (4 years), baseball (3 years) and basketball (2 years) as well as being named to the Class B Michigan All-State football team in his senior year.
 
Cmejrek was recruited to the University of Iowa where he played starting center for the Hawkeyes.  He pledged the Iowa Beta chapter of Sigma Alpha Epsilon and was initiated into the fraternity on October 27, 1963.  He received badge number 118295.  
 
"Jim was a good SAE brother.  We were pledges together and were roommates off campus for a semester," said Bob Hall (IABE '66).  "He was a terrific guy and an accomplished athlete.  I am saddened to learn of his passing."
 
Cmejrek graduated from the University of Iowa with an undergraduate degree in Political Science in 1966. He then went onto Law School at the University of Iowa, where he graduated in 1969.

"Jim and I were roommates for one year at the fraternity house along with Jack Swanson (IABE '66). Jim was an imposing guy due to his size but he had a great big smile that could light the room and was always a pleasure to be around," said Robert L. "Bob" Fanter (IABE '66).  "We fought our way through law school together and graduated in 1969. 

"A few of us went to his wedding to Sue Williams in Michigan and also met his family which was a treat. Sue left us too early and Jim was a devoted father to his two daughters. When they needed a role model, they simply looked at their Dad to see how things were done.  We all miss Jim." 

Cmejrek was admitted to the Iowa State Bar Association in 1969 and the State Bar of Michigan in 1970. Cmejrek practiced law in Ann Arbor from 1971 until his death.

Over his 47-year legal career, Cmejrek assisted thousands of clients with Workers Compensation and Disability claims. In April 1978, Cmejrek was elected to the Ann Arbor City Council representing Ward 5 from April 1978 to April 1980.
 
On July 15, 1967 Cmejrek married his high school sweetheart Susan Kay Williams and they spent 23 wonderful years in marriage together. Susan preceded him in death on November 7, 1990.

Cmejrek’s passion in life, besides his children and grandchildren, was golf. He loved the game and he loved being on the golf course. He would play almost every day of the week in the summer. He successfully shot a hole-in-one on June 5, 1987 - a crowning achievement in his golf career.
 
A dedicated sports fan, Cmejrek loved going to numerous sporting events. Every year he looked forward to his annual trip to Iowa City for the University of Iowa Homecoming and going to Detroit Tigers baseball games.

He also loved Lake Charlevoix, MI, where he had a second home for many years. Jim’s children, grandchildren and friends spent many wonderful days with him on the lake – boating, swimming, eating ice cream, and enjoying time together.
 
“On behalf of all Iowa Beta alumni, we send our deepest condolences to brother Cmejrek’s family and friends,” said Iowa Beta Alumni Association president Marc Rosenow (IABE ’86). “His fraternity brothers remember Jim fondly as a kind man with a great love of sports and adventure.  By all accounts, he was the epitome of the True Gentleman.”
 
Cmejrek is survived by his daughters Julie (Jason) Forton of Northville, MI and Katie Cmejrek of Ann Arbor; his grandchildren, Grace and Samuel Forton; his brother and sister-in-law Joseph and Phyllis Cmejrek; and his father-in-law and wife Dr. Paul and Patricia Williams.

 “May the memory of his good deeds and the example of his noble life ever abide with us as a lasting heritage throughout all succeeding generations.”