On October 25, 2025, following a short illness, James (Jim) Lee Searles passed away in the Odd Fellows Home in Green Bay, Wisconsin. He was born in Milwaukee on October 22, 1944, to Kenneth Edward and Quadine Zilles (Beebe) Searles. He graduated from Nicolet High School in 1963. After studying at the University of Wisconsin Madison and University of Wisconsin Milwaukee, he received a BS from the School of Pharmacy and was approved as a registered pharmacist in April 1969.

He worked as a pharmacist his entire career and with his wife Barbara, eventually purchased the old Astor Movie Theater on Brady and Astor Streets, converting it to a pharmacy, coffee shop and eventually a small theater. Later in his career he supported the arts by converting his upstairs to a special dance floor where student ballet dancers could rehearse, and a classroom with movie equipment where local filmmakers were able to study and create. He was instrumental in rescuing old movie equipment from classic movie theaters in Milwaukee as they phased out. His coffee shop was decorated with movie posters that he collected.

Throughout his career, Jim fought for the Brady Street community, battled fierce competition from chain drug stores, and dealt with rising insurance company challenges. He retired as the last independent pharmacist in Milwaukee.

Jim is preceded in death by his parents and his wife Barbara (Bitzan) Searles. He is survived by his brothers Stuart (Judy) and Richard (Sharon) Searles, six nieces and nephews – Peter (Cecilia) Searles, Mark (Jennifer) Searles, Amy LaSala, Elizabeth (Jake) Mineau, Mark (Stephanie) Gresbach, Matt Gresbach, and ten great nieces and nephews (MacKenzie, Ignacio, Evan, Nicolas, Madeline, Connor, Oliver, Amelia, Finnegan and Scarlett). He will be remembered for his generosity, determination and zany sense of humor.

A graveside service will be held on Friday, October 31 at 1:00pm at the Trinity Evangelical Lutheran Cemetery, W1239 Hwy 96 (Green Bay Road and Lamplighter Drive, Kaukauna, WI 54130.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made in his memory to the West De Pere School District Theater Department where he enjoyed watching his great nieces and nephews perform on stage.