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Kalahar, James "Jim" Taylor

August 14, 1965 –
 September 6, 2018

Obituary

James Kalahar, known to friends as “Jim,” passed away on September 6, 2018 in Dallas, Texas at the age of 53. Born on August 14, 1965 in Chicago, Illinois to Thomas Leon Kalahar and Susan Taylor Knauss. Jim grew up in Bloomfield Hills, Michigan and Bay Village, Ohio. He attended Andover High School in Bloomfield Hills, where he excelled in football and graduated in 1984. Jim continued playing football at Grand Valley State and Michigan State, where he graduated with a Bachelor of Arts and a Major in Advertising in 1989. After college Jim was active in the Dallas-Ft. Worth advertising community for a number of years. He started his career at Banner Radio in National Radio sales and then moved into Television sales, where his career continued as National Sales Manager at KTXA Channel 21 followed by Local Sales Manager at KTVT Channel 11. In August 2003 he joined Camelot Communications, his family’s Marketing & Media business until December 2017. Jim loved getting to know people and will always be remembered for his “quick wit” and sense of humor.  He loved playing and watching football and anything related to “Michigan State”. Jim was very athletic growing up and won numerous awards in baseball, football, swimming and track. When Jim’s son was younger, he enjoyed helping coach Colin’s football teams. He was also very fond of fishing and taught his daughter, Taylor, how to fish on their Indian Princess camp outs. Jim will forever be remembered by his daughter Taylor Kalahar and son Colin Kalahar, father Tom Kalahar and step-mother Brenda and their extended family, his mother Susan, who resides in Florida and her extended family. Jim will also be fondly remembered by his brothers and sisters, Thomas T. Kalahar, Patrick Kalahar and Amy Kalahar-Utsey, sister-in-law Stephanie Kalahar, brother-in-law Tracy Utsey, Tina Nelson, Dina Keifer, brother-in-law, Carson Keifer, Kirk Knauss, sister-in-law Kathy Knauss, Kristen Schlachter, and brother-in-law, Jim Schlacter. Jim will lovingly be remembered by his nieces and nephews, Drew, Kaley, Blake, Conner, Trent, Sarah, Spencer and Jared. He will be missed by many extended family members, former spouse, Michelle, and former in-laws and their families.  Jim will be sadly missed by his best friends, Rick Wisniewski and Ryan Scott, as well as many other dear friends. A celebration of Jim’s life will be held on September 19, at 2:00 p.m. at St. Andrew’s United Methodist Church, 5801 W Plano Parkway, Plano, TX 75093, with Reverend Arthur Jones officiating. In lieu of flowers, the family is requesting donations to the DREAM Fund on behalf of Jim via the website www.dreamfund.org. For the mountains may depart and the hills be removed, but my steadfast love shall not depart from you, and my covenant of peace shall not be removed,” says the Lord, who has compassion on you.” Isaiah 54:10 Arrangements are under the direction of ARIA Cremation Service and Funeral Home 19310 Preston Road Dallas, Texas 75252 214-306-6700

    Alex Fontaine
    15 Sep 2018
    3:04pm

    Jim certainly had an impact in my life as a young student at Michigan State University. From the moment I met him I could tell he was a confident young man and he certainly filled a room with his presence. It’s been many years and although I’m saddened by the news I am so glad I met him and will always remember Jim.

    Gretchen Giltner Dietz
    16 Sep 2018
    4:39pm

    My deepest sympathy to Jim’s family. My thoughts and prayers are with you during this very difficult time. While I haven’t seen Jim in a very long time, I remember him as kind, giving and one of the funniest people I have ever met. I will cherish the memories I have. May the Lord bless and comfort you all during this time of grief. Gretchen (Giltner) Dietz

    Marsha Becker
    17 Sep 2018
    8:06am

    I am so sorry for your loss. Although I didn’t know Jim personally, his younger siblings were at my house a lot growing up. I heard stories about him off & on throughout the years. I know he will be missed by all. God bless.

    William Muckelroy
    19 Sep 2018
    4:37pm

    Sorry for your loss. His passing is just sad. I knew Jim from a gone-but-not-forgotten after work hangout and sports place in Dallas, Bens. He will be missed and is now at peace.

    Bob Castedo
    15 Mar 2022
    7:27pm

    I am very sorry to hear about Weezer passing it’s been a long time since I’ve heard anything from the past but he will be missed he was a good friend of mine I will always love him.

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R. Driver
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"Excellent customer service, they made you feel like you were their only customer. Very helpful and explained what we should expect during the process. They basically took care of our needs during this time. They contacted DFW National Cemetery for us which made it a smooth experience. Definitely will use them again."
K. Barker
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"I was amazed how professional the team at Aria Funeral Preston Dallas Texas are. They guided me through the process and my options of their services that they offered for my mother. They are compassionate, caring, calm, good listener, efficient and did an excellent job! Thank you!"
R. Woll
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"If I could give 6 stars I would. Aria made a difficult easier to deal with by basically taking care of everything in an efficient but very empathetic manner. I can speak highly enough of Dusty Martin, who helped us with all of the planning and logistics. He was incredibly understanding and helpful."
Angel M.
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"Nothing prepares you for the grief you go through when losing a child. I called this funeral home at 2:00 am broken and could barely talk. The amount of compassion and empathy they showed me immediately let me know I found the right place to cremate my son. I cannot thank them enough for their professionalism, SINCERE concern, and commitment to making sure my son was honored in the most respectful way. I hope this Funeral home values her as much as my family and I do."
McGee Family
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"Wayne and Staff, thank you for taking care of the arrangements for our mom, Exter McGee and our dad, Philip McGee. You have been great to work with during such a difficult time."
Elledge Family
Elledge Family
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"On behalf of my family, I wanted you to know how much we appreciate your handling of my husband's final arrangements. Wayne Baxter assisted & guided us through the entire process with such care & compassion. Don't know what we would have done without him! Sincerely, Colleen Elledge"
The Peterson Family
The Peterson FamilyYelp! Review - Northwest Highway 5-Stars
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"I can’t say enough about how helpful and professional Dusty Martin, the funeral director at the Aria Cremation location on NW Highway has been. From my initial call, he was kind and informative. My friend died at home while on hospice and she was picked up in about an hour after receiving the call from the hospice nurse. The person who arrived to pick her up was also very professional/respectful and allowed us to take as much time with her as we wished. When I met with Dusty the next day about arrangements, he explained the process and options available without being pushy or trying to “sell” extras. Throughout the process, he kept me informed and, for example, was careful to be certain I understood the cost of the obituary I wanted and offered some options for reducing that cost if I wished. When I stopped by for another reason and started talking about some of the problems I was having with the pictures and media I hoped to use at a memorial lunch I was planning, he not only listened patiently but offered technology advice and let me use his personal media player. I have had experience arranging cremations for four others using two other local companies, and this experience with Dusty at Aria has been by far the best one I have had."
Paula Barnes
Paula BarnesGoogle Review
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"My Daddy’s service and our family experience at Aria Northwest Highway was truly blessed. Funeral Director Dustin Martin is the kind of person that you would like to see on a more regular basis – but in his industry – you hope to not see him that often. That being said – THANK YOU DUSTIN for your unending kindness, compassion and friendship through the process. Meeting you and discussing Dallas History, Find A Grave and my Dad’s lifelong contributions to the great City of Dallas was simply wonderful! In memory of my dad James A. Dodd, Sr. – I want to personally thank you and let you know that you made everything better in that moment. Your calling to “Be There” is spot on. Aria has a one in a million guy in you! Bling Blinky of TEXAS Shout Out: God Bless You!!"
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  1. If death has occurred and or is imminent, please call the Aria location nearest you.

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      972-526-7410
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