James ""Jim Traxinger

James J. (Jim) Traxinger beloved husband, father, and grandfather passed away peacefully on September 28th, 2017 in Longmont, CO. He was born on a farm in Herreid, South Dakota on January 30th , 1935 to John and Agatha Traxinger. He was one of eight children; three sisters and four brothers.

Jim graduated from Herreid High School in 1954 and headed to Chicago, IL to seek a job. During this time, he met a beautiful gal named Cathy and also found a job with Illinois Bell Telephone. In May 1957 Jim & Cathy married and started their 60 yrs of growing a family heritage with 8 children, 21 grandchildren, and 7 great-grandchildren.

Jim had an opportunity to take a position for Mt. Bell so he moved his family in 1978 to Longmont, CO. He retired after 43 yrs with Mt Bell/Telecommunications and continued working by building sheds for people. He was always working a part time job to keep up with his growing family and even had his own carpet cleaning and janitorial business. One of his gifts was the ability to fix, build, invent, or create anything needed and he used it wherever he served. “Never call a repairman, he could fix anything.”

His greatest love was music and he could sing, play guitar, keyboard, banjo, harmonica and would entertain people for hours. He sang in a trio, barbershop singers, choir, and all family gatherings. He loved to entertain and sing country/folk songs and be with people. He loved to hunt, fish, camp, and play games. Family and friends were his life and he devoted his life to them.

Jim served in his church, St. John the Baptist Church; Knights of Columbus, Eucharistic Minister, Food Bank, and many other ministries. He was a member of the Moose Lodge and was loved for his servant's heart. In the Community, he was Santa Clause for 57 yrs (Illinois & Colorado) and he was a member of a Clown Club.

Jim leaves behind his devoted wife, Cathy; children, Marie (Dale) Miller, Janet (Dave) Rodriguez, Tim (Deborah) Traxinger, David (Bunny) Traxinger, John (Kim) Traxinger, Linda (John Staggs) Adams, Paul (Angie) Traxinger; 21 grandchildren; 7 great-grandchildren; brother, Walter (Carol) Traxinger; sister Linda (Rich) Walts; and numerous nieces, nephews and many friends. Jim was preceded in death by son, Bob (Lorelee) Traxinger ; parents; John & Agatha Traxinger; brothers Lyle, Tom, Ted Traxinger ; sisters Lorraine Greethurst, and Nook(Florence) Ritter.

A funeral mass will be held 11am Monday Oct 2 at St. John's Catholic Church, 323 Collyer St. in Longmont. A viewing will take place at 9:30 am just prior to mass.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to St. John's Catholic Church Food Bank.