Jim was preceded in death by his parents James Hudson Shearer and Lucy (Kucharek) Shearer, his daughter Sara, two brothers Michael Shearer and Patrick Shearer, and brother-in-laws Gary Campbell, Ted Pennell, and Edward Bennett. He is survived by his wife Susan, his children James Jay (Vanice) Shearer, Lindsay (Josh) Rouwh, Nicholas (Tracey) Shearer, and seven sisters: Anne Wojtkowiak, Myra Bennett, Georgia (Mitch) Lavelett, Lucy Pennell, Ruth Campbell, Angela (Roman) Hank, and Janine Shearer.
Jim was in the navy for four years. He worked as an airplane electrician while he was in the navy. He worked as an electrical engineer for Control Engineering for over 30 years. He finished his career as a technical writer for WRD.
Jim enjoyed golfing, kayaking, biking, cross-country skiing, and hiking. He also wrote poetry. He enjoyed writing a Christmas letter every year, and he would include a new poem each year in that card.