Ellsworth -- James B. Card III, 45, died November 20, 2017 at his home surrounded by his family after a brief illness with cancer. He was born in Ellsworth, November 21, 1971 the son of James B. and Christine E. (Randall) Card.

Jim attended school in Ellsworth graduating from Ellsworth High School in 1990. He enjoyed his high school career in basketball and baseball. He was an outstanding athlete and team player who successfully made it with his team to many Eastern Maine and State Championships. He was also a 1990 McDonald All Star inductee. He attended Eastern Maine Community College aka EMTC graduating in 1992 with a degree in Building Construction. He continued his basketball career in college helping the EMTC Eagles head to Nationals in Texas in 1992. After college, he worked in building construction and scallop diving with his father. He was confident he did not want to pursue either occupation. Jim was hired in the parts department at Linnehan’s Auto Mall in 1992. After an aggressive and continuous pitch for a sales position, Jim finally got his chance a couple of years later. That was all it took for him to take off and become an amazing salesman and asset. He was even interviewed and named Top Salesman in 2005 in the National Car Dealer Magazine.

Jim married his high school sweetheart, Shanon Leyendecker in 1994. Together they have three children. After years of success with the Linnehan family business, Jim and Shanon took a leap in 2008 and opened their family pre-owned car dealership named Card Enterprises. This business was Jim’s pride and joy and he loved to go to work every day.

Jim continued his interests in sports by successfully coaching many youth sports teams including Ellsworth Little League, Ellsworth Summer basketball, Fall Ball, Harbor House tournaments and AAU with his son and daughters and avidly following his children in their endeavors; enjoying many trips all over Maine and out of state with other amazing families.

Jim took his role as a dedicated father very serious. He knew the value of family. He loved to hunt and spend time with his son, Cote, pontooning and fishing at his camp on Patten Pond and making waves with daughters, Morgan and Madison on the Sea-Doos. Jim was very passionate about food and should have had his own show on the Food Network. He has positively touched so many lives with his larger than life personality and his light that lit every room he entered. He was magnet for people of all ages and always made people feel better about themselves. Jim was respected and revered by sales people and other dealers. He had the knack of making a bad situation turn to gold. His sense of humor will be greatly missed. Work and family took priority, but he was always up for a trip to Boston to enjoy a good Celtics or Red Sox game with family and friends.

He is survived by his wife, Shanon of Ellsworth; son, Cote; daughters, Morgan and Madison all of Ellsworth; mother, Christine and step-father, David Pelletier of Surry; father, James B. Card, Jr. and wife Alicia of Ellsworth; brother, Jeff Card and his son, Devin Hussey and daughter, Emma Card of Ellsworth; brother, Jeremy Card and wife Jesse and son Jeremy, Jr., of Franklin; sister, Jennifer Robidoux and daughter Kylie of Ellsworth; mother-in-law, Cathy Pinkham of Surry; stepfather-in-law, Rod Pinkham of Dedham; father-in-law, Philip (Sledge) Leyendecker and wife Fran of Lamoine; brother-in-law, Jarod Leyendecker and his wife Maija and daughter Oniika of Bar Harbor; brother-in-law, Dustin Leyendecker and wife Melissa and son Ryan of Lamoine; many aunts, uncles and cousins. He was predeceased by grandparents, Jacqueline and Roger Randall of Surry and Stella and James Card of Ellsworth; great-grandparents, Margaret and Galen Crowley of Lamoine.

A Celebration of Life will be held 6:00 pm, Sunday, December 3, 2017 at the Ellsworth High School. A reception will follow in the school gym.

Contributions in Jim’s memory may be made to the Jimmy Card Scholarship Fund, 128 Patten Way, Ellsworth, ME 04605.

Arrangements by Jordan-Fernald, 113 Franklin St. Ellsworth

Condolences may be expressed at www.jordanfernald.com