JAMES A. LORIGAN
JAMES A. LORIGAN
James A. Lorigan, age 84, of Revere, MO, passed away unexpectedly on Saturday, April 11, 2020 at his home.
James was born April 11, 1936 at Fort Madison, IA, a son of James Orson and Zella Faye Kerr Lorigan.
He graduated from Kahoka High School and graduated from the University of Missouri with a degree in Agriculture.
While serving in the US Army at Fort Leonardwood, he went on a blind date with Hannelorie “Lori” Schmidt, a young German women who had fled East Germany as a 17 year old ending up in St. Louis. And this is where their story began. They were married on December 27, 1959 and were blessed with 60 years together.
Survivors include his beautiful bride, Lori, of the home; children: Deborah (Gene) Franklin of Mt. Sterling, IA and Michael (Jo Ann) Lorigan, of Revere; grandchildren: Drs. Curtis (Melissa) Livesay of Gig Harbor, WA, Katie (Chad) Hedrick of Mt. Sterling, IA, Dori (David) Colborn of New London, MO, Tyler (Krystle) Lorigan of Shawnee, KS, Jesse (Kelsi) Lorigan of Overland Park, KS; step-grandchildren: Serena Franklin (Cory Neugebauer) of Olathe, KS, Tara (Dexter) Dick of Douds, IA, Dana Lyon and Jamie Lyon, both of Phoenix, AZ; seventeen great grandchildren: Elijah and Abigail Livesay, Chloe, Chase and Canyon Hedrick, Alexa Frazier, Azlynn Neugebauer, Dalila, Olen and Eli Dick, Lathan and Addison Lorigan, and Ethan, Blaze and Tatum Lyon; his black lab and faithful companion, “Pepper”, as well as other relatives.
He was preceded in death by his parents and his in-laws, Bruno and Martha Schmidt.
Following graduation from college, Jim taught school in Fayette, MO for six months and the next two years he taught in Pella, IA.
He and Lori returned to Clark County in 1962 to the family farm. He spent the rest of his life farming and spent the last day of his earthly life celebrating his 84th birthday and doing what he loved – working his land. He took great pride in his farm and respected the responsibility of caring for what God had created.
He was content to stay home and the only traveling he really did was when he was researching family genealogy.
Jim was a board member and Sunday School teacher at the Anson Community Church and was a co-founder, board member and Sunday School teacher at the Amazing Grace Bible Church. For 37 years he served on the board of directors of Clark Mutual Insurance. He was a former technician at the ASCS in Kahoka.
Jim was both a Mizzou and Clark County Indian fan. He supported his grandkids in all of their activities and was always quick to tell them “you’ve got this”.
Jim loved discussing scripture and there was never a family meal that there wasn’t a family prayer circle. Everyone was always welcome in their home and he never said a harsh word against anyone. He lived his life with Christian values which he instilled in all of his children and grandchildren.
Due to restrictions, a private graveside service will be held on Wednesday in the Kahoka Cemetery with limited military honors. Officiating will be Pastor Dean Tomlinson.
Friends may call at Wilson Funeral Home between the hours of 11 a.m. and 5p.m. on Tuesday. There will be no family visitation.
Memorials in lieu of flowers are suggested to the Clark Co. Nursing Home Activity Fund or the Clark Co. Nursing Home Activity Fund.
On-line condolences may be expressed at www.wilsonfuneralservice.com.
