Jim Morcomb, 84, died on February 18, 2020. He was born on a farm in Ridgeway, Minn., on May 16, 1935; the first born of Arlie and Helen Morcomb. He graduated from Winona Senior High School Class of 1953. After graduation and a brief stint in college he married the love of his life, Lois (Johnson) on June 23, 1956, at First Lutheran Church in La Crescent, Minn., and accepted a job at Martin Aircraft in Baltimore, Md. They both longed for home and in May of 1957 he joined IBM and embarked on a wonderful 34 ½ year career, eventually retiring in 1992 as a senior engineer. He was responsible for multiple patents that significantly advanced business technology, culminating his career by leading the design and manufacturing of the AS400. (Arguably the most successful system ever developed by IBM.) After retiring from IBM he took on a consulting job with Datacard Corporation and eventually retired from the business world in 1998.
James and Lois lived in St. Charles, Minn., where they raised their four children: Rod, Jane, Scott and Sue. They simply loved this wonderful community. After retirement they moved to Money Creek, Minn., building their dream home and spending their golden years together in the country. Jim’s foundation was firmly grounded in love of Christ, Family, Community and Country. He demonstrated this love through selfless servant leadership. He was an extremely active leader in countless organizations to include Ducks Unlimited, Faith Lutheran Church, Looney Valley Lutheran Church, Ridgeway Charter School, St. Charles Parks and Rec, and Lions Club. Some of his proudest achievements were spearheading Faith Lutheran and Looney Valley Church building projects, organizing the first fastpitch softball team in St. Charles, building two picnic shelters and the concession stand at St. Charles, leading the fundraising and building of the Ridgeway Charter School, serving as the Lions Club District Governor, chartering the Houston Lions Club and leading the new band shell construction project. He played and managed several Championship Fastpitch Softball teams and was named to the MN Fast Pitch Hall of Fame. An avid outdoorsman and sports fan, Jim had a great love for the Green Bay Packers and his time with his card club friends.
What really defined Jim was love of his family, his loving wife Lois, four children, nine grandchildren and six great-grandchildren. This love was manifested in his never-ending attendance at sporting events, concerts, family hunting and fishing adventures, building projects completed for his kids and grandkids and so much more. A man of incredible drive and energy, if a family member needed something he was there with a plan and a solution.
Jim was preceded in death by his parents Arlie and Helen Morcomb, sister Mary Brenno and brother-in-law Duane Brenno.
He is survived by his wife Lois, children Rod (Deb) Morcomb, Jane (Jeff) Sterrett, Scott (Janna) Morcomb, Sue (Craig) Frericks; granchildren Erin (Aaron) Buchanan, Brent (Shelby) Morcomb, Dani (Brad) Gorder, Jennifer Sterrett, Bryant (Shelby) Morcomb, Ciara (Colton) Morcomb, Hunter, Dawson and Jared Frericks; great-grandchildren Claire, Reese, Cameron, Lucas, Braxton and Brantley; niece Anne (Tom) Mootz and nephew Steve Brenno.
In his own words given to us upon his death. “I believe that true believers never really die, they just pass to the new world. God created the most amazing world that we could ever imagine, just think how wonderful the next world will be”.
A true patriarch, he left a lasting impression on his family, community and this world. James R. Morcomb will never be forgotten. This world will be a bit duller in his absence.
There will be a funeral service for Jim at 2 p.m. on Saturday, February 22, 2020, at Looney Valley Lutheran Church in rural Houston, Minn. Burial will be at the Bush Cemetery in Ridgeway, Minn. Pallbearers will be Jim’s nine grandchildren, who he adored. Visitation will be from 4-8 p.m. on Friday at Faith Lutheran Church in St. Charles, Minn., and one hour prior to the service at Looney Valley Lutheran Church. The family prefers memorials directed to Looney Valley Lutheran Church, Ridgeway Community School, or Mayo Clinic Cancer Research.
Hoff Funeral and Cremation Service of Houston is assisting the family with arrangements. Please leave a memory of Jim and sign his online guestbook at www.hofffuneral.com.