James Edward Kleinrichert

Jimmy Kleinrichert found life’s greatest reward in giving, especially to children who benefited from the millions he raised for pediatric cancer care and research in memory of his son.

Running restaurants and nightclubs was his life’s work, and also his calling. His outgoing personality was as endearing to customers as the food and drink. His cheerful nature made friends and influenced people. From his native Indiana to South Florida, Jimmy’s bottom line was brightening people’s lives from drinks to dessert, and in so doing paying forward his blessings.

James Edward Kleinrichert passed away on April 2, 2025, after an extended illness. He filled his 85 years with meaning, his colorful ways touching all who were fortunate to have known him.

Jimmy, as everyone called him, was born on Aug. 30, 1939, in Fort Wayne, Ind., the fifth of Paul and Marie Kleinrichert’s 10 children. From an early age, his faith shaped him. Bishop Joseph Crowley of the Diocese of Fort Wayne-South Bend became a mentor. St. Peter’s Catholic Church was his church home. When he was 19, he set out on the path to the priesthood. But then the restaurant bug took hold – he was 15 when he started washing dishes for 68 cents an hour – he got into the business with his four brothers. It became a way of life he loved, even if it meant getting home at 3 in the morning.

Among the Kleinrichert brothers’ five Fort Wayne establishments was The Cat’s Meow nightclub. Such iconic entertainers as Fat’s Domino, Little Richard and The Platters performed during the glory days of the 1960s and ‘70s. After work, Jimmy would grab a hotdog at Fort Wayne’s Famous Coney Island Hot Dogs. He “borrowed” the recipe for their chili sauce, which became a fixture in the family freezer.

Jimmy found more than chili sauce in his hometown. He and his wife, MaryAnn, were married on Feb. 16, 1963. That first date at Captain’s Cabin on Lake James was a winner. To mark their silver wedding anniversary in 1988, Jimmy wrote his bride a letter in longhand. “Thank you for the most beautiful twenty-five years of my life…I’ll never let you down.” The letter rests in a frame in her bedroom.

The second chapter of Jimmy’s life began in 1977 when he and his family followed two of his brothers to South Florida. He was 38. There he took up where they left off, confident the burgeoning region would provide a better climate for their establishments.

Jimmy helped open Tiffany’s, the first disco on Miami Beach. The Lobster Shack on the ocean was another popular spot. In 1978, the Kleinricherts opened The Ark in Davie, Fla. The family restaurant grew to become a landmark. Its dishes were named for Noah’s passengers. Its prime rib and salad deck were staples, including with the snowbirds who came for the early bird specials. Jimmy’s kids worked there on summer breaks from college and two followed him into the business. Wooden plaques graced the premises. Customers paid $100 to put their names on the plaques, proceeds going to the James Jr. Fund, the nonprofit foundation he ran for 38 years.

Few escape life’s sorrows.

Jimmy and Mary Ann lost James Jr., the third of their four children, to leukemia in 1982 after an eight-year struggle. He was 15. Out of their grief came a determination to help other pediatric cancer patients. They supported the Children’s Cancer Caring Center at Jackson Memorial Hospital, where James Jr. was a patient. From an annual barbecue to benefit golf tournaments, Jimmy’s gift for getting the best out of people reaped charitable rewards. In all, the family raised $7½ million for the cause.

Because of his good deeds, the University of Miami School of Medicine named him Man of the Year in 1988. He was also honored by the Chaminade-Madonna College Preparatory School in Hollywood, Fla., for his contributions. The four Kleinrichert children attended there.

Jimmy poo-pooed attention, calling himself a bald-headed man from Davie (Fla.) But in an article about him in The Miami Herald, a board member of the Children’s Cancer Caring Center said his goodness was rooted in optimism. If we were on a plane about to crash, she told the newspaper, Jimmy would say “Yeah, but the takeoff was smooth.”

Jimmy is survived by his wife, Mary Ann Kleinrichert, of Fort Lauderdale, Fla.; three children – Denise Gordon (John) of Miami, Danielle Kleinrichert (Guillermo Villar) of Charlotte, N.C., and Robert Kleinrichert of Fort Lauderdale; five siblings – Jerry Kleinrichert of Boynton Beach, Fla., Rose Kleinrichert, Ken Kleinrichert and Angie Grove, all of Traverse City, Mich., and Cecilia Kleinrichert of Fort Lauderdale. He is also survived by two grandchildren, June and Michael Gordon of New York City, and numerous nieces, nephews and great-nieces and nephews. He adored them, and the feeling was mutual.

Jimmy was preceded in death by his parents, his son, James Jr., and four of his nine siblings – Theresa Granahan, Don Kleinrichert, Paula Stephanis and Joe Kleinrichert.

As pets do for so many late in life, the Kleinricherts’ Yorkshire Terriers, Indi and Ana, were dear companions.

Visitation will be from 2 to 6 p.m. Sunday, April 13, at Landmark Funeral Home, 4200 Hollywood Blvd., Hollywood, Fla. A Mass to celebrate Jimmy’s life will be at 11 a.m. Monday, April 14, at St. Malachy Catholic Church, 6200 N. University Drive, Tamarac, Fla. Viewing will precede the service from 10 to 11 a.m.

Rather than flowers, a gift in Jimmy’s memory can be made to St. Malachy Catholic Church, 6200 N. University Drive, Tamarac, Fla. 33321 or online donation at www.stmalachy.church.

Jimmy had a heart for the underdog, whatever their challenge. He loved telling jokes, doing magic tricks, dancing and 1950s rock ‘n roll. He looked forward to the annual fishing trip to Canada with his son, Robert, and his brothers and nephews. Another tradition: Each summer, Jimmy and Mary Ann returned to their native Indiana to visit friends and family. They'd return home to Florida with Indiana tomatoes that they shared with patrons at his restaurant, The Ark.

He could be stubborn and, at times, complicated. But his soft side is what rose above. He left his mark, which is the most anyone can ask out of life.

When a conversation with one of his kids came to a close, they’d say, “I love you.” Jimmy would respond, “I love you more.”

Landmark Funeral Home is taking care of the family. You can share condolences at www.landmarkfuneralhome.com.