James Jorgensen

JAMES (JIM) JORGENSENAge, 69, Jim entered heaven's gate on June 23rd after a 5 month battle with brain cancer (GMB). He was born on September 22, 1942 to Leroy and Ardis Jorgensen of Paxton, NE. Jim is survived by his wife of 51 years Jeanette, daughter and son-in-law, Jill and Craig Brown, granddaughter Taylor, all of Albuquerque, NM; grandson Josh of Las Cruces, NM; son and daughter-in-law, Joel and Tracy Jorgensen, grandchildren Jessica and Nicholas, all of Folsom, CA. Brother Martell Jorgensen of Overland, KS. Extended family, Don, Lynette and Matt Byrnes, Clark and Eileen Anderson, Chad, Megan and Harper Davison, Barry and Natalie Hilton, all of Lincoln, NE. Always proud of his 'farm boy' upbringing, he became his dad's number one farm hand at age 11. He was confirmed in the Paxton Lutheran Church. He graduated salutatorian from Paxton High School in 1960. He received his BSEE in 1965, MSEE in 1966 from the University of Nebraska and in 1974 a PhD from the University of New Mexico. He was a member of IEEE, Sigma Xi, Eta Kappa Nu, Phi Mu Epsilon and Sigma Tau. Jim's career as an Electrical Engineer began in 1966 at Sandia National Laboratories and he fully retired in December 2010 as an SNL contractor. His Sandia career was interrupted twice, once to spend 4 years at Philips Semiconductor, and again to spend 4 very rewarding years teaching his love for engineering to young minds at University of Nebraska. Jim's true joys in life, where he was very successful, were being a dad and a grandpa. A passion for travel resulted in 8 cruises, joined by cabin mate Jeanette, family and friends. Vacations resulted in visits to all but one of our fifty states, and several trips abroad. Many, many Happy Hours were spent with a glass of wine on our condo deck in Angel Fire and on our High Desert patio. Activities during his 69 years included playing sports, bird hunting, golf, Sandia Sonic Softball, bowling leagues, and a loyal Husker football fan. Volunteer projects included Road Runner Little League, YAFL, JDRF, UNL EE External Advisory Board and Mountain Spirits condo board. He will join his parents and grandparents with burial in the Paxton Cemetery. A graveside service will be held on Saturday, June 30th at 10:00a.m. Pallbearers will be Dusty Walker, Terry Walker, Chad Davison, Barry Hilton, Matt Byrnes, Don Byrnes and Clark Anderson. Honorary pallbearers are Lendon Thompson, Bill Eakins, Clint Jurgens and Gary Schriener. At Jim's request, he and his pallbearers will wear Hawaiian shirts, please join them with cooler summer casual dress. An Albuquerque Happy Hour Celebration of Life will be held Sunday, July 15, 2012 from 3:00 - 5:00 p.m. at Tanoan Country Club, 10801 Academy Rd. NE. Please enjoy resort casual dress, as Jim's suits and ties retired when he did. Because of his desire for a cure for grandson Josh, and all type 1 diabetics, we request in lieu of flowers that contributions be made to JDRF NM Branch, 2501 San Pedro NE, #204, Albuquerque, NM 87110 or . Jim, Dad, Grandpa and Uncle, we will miss your ever present sense of humor, quick mind, wine toasts, and engaging smile.