James "Jim" A. Wexler

We are deeply sorry for your loss ~ Gunderson Funeral Home - Middleton

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.

May your memory and legacy be a blessing to all.

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!

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.