James Robert Leidgen

James Robert Leidgen passed away peacefully at St. Joseph’s Hospital in Atlanta on Wednesday, July 4, 2012. Surrounded by his family, he was one month shy of his 88th birthday. James was a beloved father, grandfather, great grandfather and loyal friend. Mr. Leidgen was born to Dr. Charles and Marion Leidgen in Milwaukee, Wisconsin on August 11, 1924. He grew up on and around Lake Michigan and attended Milwaukee State Teachers College. In December of 1942, he joined the Naval Air Corps and trained to become a pilot flying rescue planes. Though he was only 21, his commanding officers recognized his skills in aviation and selected him to instruct new pilots. Part of his training was done at the Naval Air Corps Academy in Athens, Georgia, where he met his future wife, Virginia Coursey on a blind date. She was a student at UGA and a member of the Tri-Delta Sorority. They wed in 1945 and were married 63 years before she passed away in July 2008. After the war was over, they moved back to Milwaukee where Jim attended and graduated from Marquette University. He put himself through school by driving a cab and washing Brinks trucks. He worked in the armored car industry most of his life, later becoming President of both Brinks and Wells Fargo Armored Car Companies. He served as President of the National Armored Car Association, and at the end of his career, he consulted with armored car companies throughout the world. He combined his knowledge of the security industry and his love for aviation in establishing a network for secured air transport in Latin America. James is survived by four daughters, Linda (Mrs. John) Shepherd, Gini (Mrs. George) Duncan, Elizabeth Bradford and Pattie (Mrs. Mark) Jagor all of Atlanta. He is survived by ten grandchildren, Barbara (Mrs. Tad) Phelps of Cumming, Ellis Duncan of Washington D.C., Chip Eibe, Jay Duncan, Dr. Shannon Bradford of Savannah, Mark Jagor, James Bradford, Chris Bradford, Mary Claire Jagor and Andy Jagor of Atlanta. He is also survived by three great grandchildren, TJ, Dillon and Sydney Phelps of Cumming. Jim and Virginia traveled extensively and had friends literally from around the world. He was quick witted and the life of any party. A Memorial Mass will be held on Wednesday, July 11, 2012 at 11 o’clock at Holy Spirit Catholic Church, 4665 Northside Dr, NW, Atlanta, GA 30327. The body has been cremated. The family will receive friends one half hour before the service. In lieu of flowers the family has requested that contributions be made to the St. Vincent de Paul Society or the University of Georgia. Arrangements by H.M. Patterson and Son, Arlington Chapel, 173 Allen Rd, NE, Sandy Springs, GA 30328.