James "Jim" A. Wexler

James "Jim" A. Wexler

May 23, 1951 - November 30, 2025

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Obituary

MIDDLETON - Jim Wexler passed away peacefully in Madison, Wis. on Sunday, November 30, 2025, after a courageous battle with multiple complications of cancer and kidney disease. He was 74.


Jim leaves behind a legacy of community service, humor, kindness and friendship. He was a “shining light” whose smile brightened the lives of others over the years, from his childhood in Shorewood, Wis., and later in Madison, Wis., and Middleton, Wis., where he spent years in state and city government, including nearly three decades on the Middleton City Council, where he served as president for a decade. He was a familiar and welcoming presence as an usher at Madison Mallards baseball games, administrative assistant at the Middleton Senior Center and even as a friendly neighborhood crossing guard in Middleton. The kids loved Jim because they knew he was a big kid at heart.


Jim is survived by his brothers, Steve (Amy) Wexler and Brian (Karen) Wexler; as well as six nieces and nephews, including his goddaughter, Becky Graber (Wexler); and 17 grand-nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by his parents, Bernard “Buzz” and Arlene Wexler. He also considered his wide circle of friends in Middleton part of his extended family, and cherished his time with his trivia team, “The Brains That Wouldn’t Die” (a name that he, predictably, chose).


Jim was a fan of horror movies (the more gruesome the better), science fiction, Star Trek, Star Wars, and was a lover of classic rock from the 60s and 70s. Many of those songs were playing throughout Jim’s medical journey.


The family wishes to thank the dedicated teams at UW Health University Hospital in Madison (especially the TLC/ICU team), Hebron Oaks Skilled Nursing & Rehabilitation Hospital, Brookdale Middleton Century Avenue Assisted Living and Agrace HospiceCare for their compassionate care.  


A celebration of life for Jim will be held at the MIDDLETON SENIOR CENTER, 7448 Hubbard Ave., Middleton, from 10 a.m. until 12:30 p.m. on Saturday, January 31, 2026. Middleton is known as the “Good Neighbor City.” Today, Middleton is missing one of its very best neighbors. Jim’s memory will be a blessing.


Memorial donations on Jim’s behalf to the Middleton Senior Center, by cash, check or credit card, are welcome and appreciated. Online condolences may be made at www.gundersonfh.com.



Gunderson West

Funeral & Cremation Care
7435 University Ave.
(608) 831-6761


Events

31
Celebration of Life
Sat Jan 31, 2026 @ 10:00 AM - 12:30 PM CDT
Middleton Senior Center • 7448 Hubbard Ave., Middleton, WI 53562
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AW
A Memorial Tree was planted for James A. "Jim" Wexler
Other •
We are deeply sorry for your loss ~ Gunderson Funeral Home - Middleton
JC
Jerry Cohen
Other •
I first connected with my cousin Jim thanks to his baby brother Steve…learned so much of family history and the amazing journey Jim had followed: one of community service, advocacy for social justice and fun! Met him often on my Madison swing bys while I still worked for AARP and even afterwards, whether meeting at the Senior Center, Mustard Museum, Mallards game and always a meal ( dessert always a pie ) at Hubbard Street Cafe. What a mensch.
CC
Cousin Jerry Cohen
Other •
May your memory and legacy be a blessing to all.
MD
Mike Davis
Other •
I'm tremendously saddened by his passing. He has been a faithful, loyal friend for 27 years and devoted past colleague (1998-2016 with me) in city government (1988-2016 total) for his full tenure of service. His service to Middleton has been exemplary and his friendship stellar during a time when Middleton furthered its reputation as one of the foremost livable communities in the U.S. When I think of Jim, I remember fondly his knack for the spoken and written word and timely humor. As City Council president for 10 of his total 27 years of elected office, he showed time and again how to defuse a tense situation with good humor. He was genial and well-liked in the community--a Middleton goodwill ambassador for many years. He was politically astute, charming, loyal and generous to a fault, and he possessed a wickedly sarcastic sense of humor. He was honored in 2024 with the Good Neighbor Award by the Good Neighbor Fest, a truly well-deserved feat. He also was a fantastic trivia teammate, and 3-time state champion on the "Brains That Wouldn't Die" team in 2014, 2018 and 2024. A name that he derived from a very bad horror movie. Jim was our master of sci-fi and horror films, politics, TV and classic pop/rock music trivia. He hated to lose! He loved Halloween--his favorite season of the year! He also treated his neighborhood to colorful festive decorations for all the major holidays, and he had best solar light display in the community. As a friend said to me, Jim is now impressing the angels in Heaven with his solar light joy. Jim truly has left an indelible and lasting mark for good in Middleton, and those like me who knew him well will greatly miss him, his ever-present smile, laugh and good humor. May the Force always be with you my friend!
JR
Jo Richard
Other •
A true good neighbor. We were friends for over 40 years and I will miss his great and joyous spirit. He fought for those that had little and made it his life’s work to help others. Our Middleton community is devastated by his loss. Condolences to his family.
M
Mark
Other •
Jim introduced me to many movies that I may have never seen, if he hadn't recommended them (The Night of the Hunter). I will miss him at the crosswalk at South and Park. I'm fortunate I got to work with him at the City.

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