James M. Kline Sr. (Jim), 88, died peacefully on January 5, 2020 in Clermont, FL.

Born in Washington, DC on June 13, 1931, Jim was the son of Frederick G. Kline and M. Frances Gooch. He graduated from the Wharton School of the University of Pennsylvania in 1953 and served in the Air Force from 1953-1957. In 1956, he was married to M. Claire Rasch, who died in 1990. They had four children: James M. Kline, Jr. (married to Elizabeth), Karen A. K. Prescott (married to Jonathan), Frederick L. Kline (died in 2016) and Linda Sue Parrette (married to John); and nine grandchildren: James M. Kline, III, David Kline, Jennifer Elise Prescott, Jeffrey Prescott, Lauren Parrette Burrows, Daniel Parrette, Nathan Parrette, Rachel Kline and Steven Kline. He had one great-grandchild, Elijah Kline and two more arriving soon. Jim resided in Lynnfield, MA from 1969-2018. Jim worked at General Electric for 33 years. He worked for the GE Audit Staff and ultimately was the Audit Manager for GE Aircraft Engines in Lynn, MA.  He was very proud of the fact that in all his years as an auditor at GE, he never failed to identify a noncompliance. Recently in 2018, he moved to Clermont, FL, to live with his daughter Karen and her husband Jonathan.

Jim leaves his family a legacy of faith, love and strong work ethic. He was a member of the Lynnfield Community Church for almost 50 years and was most recently a member of the First United Methodist Church of Clermont.  Jim was devoted to his wife, Claire, until his last day. He valued education and attended every graduation of his children and grandchildren. Jim loved fishing, playing dominoes and card games. He had an enduring appreciation for the weather, which originated from his time in the Air Force serving at a weather station in Japan. His family will miss his practical wisdom, youthful humor and sharp storytelling.

A Celebration of Mr. Kline's life will be held at 2PM Thursday, January 9th at the First United Methodist Church, 950 7th St., Clermont.

There will also be a Celebration for Mr. Kline held at 2PM Saturday, January 18th at the Lynnfield Community Church, 735 Salem St., Lynnfield, MA 01940.

Mr. Kline will be interred at the Willow Cemetery in Lynnfield, MA at a later date with private services.

The family suggests in lieu of flowers memorials in Mr. Kline's name to a charity of your choice.