James “Jim” Edward Surgeon (James Petrie), 65, of LaPorte, died Sunday, June 28, 2015, at his home following a 4 1/2-year battle with colon cancer.
He was born Aug. 21, 1949, in Galveston, TX, to Robert D. Surgeon and Norma J. Decker.
Jim was a 1968 LaPorte High School graduate. He served in the U.S. Army from September 1968 to December 1970; he was a proud Vietnam veteran helicopter pilot and received the Distinguished Flying Cross, the Air Medal, and a Purple Heart. Jim retired from Connors Automotive on Nov. 29, 2011. He loved his God, family, country and he especially loved his grandchildren. Jim enjoyed golfing, reading, shooting pool, and Sunday dinners with his family. He always looked forward to the annual trip with his Vietnam friends, Dan (Eileen) Peterson of Henderson, NV, Joe (Linn) Fisher of California and Bruce (Carol) Mitchell of Marks, MS. Jim was a member of the Polish Falcons and Hamlet Golf Course.
On April 11, 1981, in LaPorte, he married Marilyn Kay Rigler, who survives.
Also surviving are his beloved children, James R. (Wendy) Surgeon of Fish Lake, IN, and Daniel B. of Syracuse, IN; grandchildren, Paige Surgeon and Drake Surgeon; sister, Patty (Gary) Kondek; stepmother, Marcia Surgeon; and stepsister, Mary Jo (Chuck) Dadlow.
He was preceded in death by his parents; brother, Michael Petrie; sister, Janice Hiscox; and stepsister, Lucille Boes.
A Celebration of Life Service will be held at 11 a.m. Friday, July 3, at Cutler Funeral Home and Cremation Center, LaPorte, with Pastor Curtis Southwood officiating. Visitation will be held Thursday, July 2, from 5 to 8 p.m. and Friday from 10 a.m. until the service. Burial will follow the service at Kingsbury Cemetery, Kingsbury, IN, with full military honors.
In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be directed to IU Health LaPorte Cancer Foundation, 1007 Lincolnway, LaPorte, IN 46350.
Messages of condolence may be posted below on WNLP, as well as at www.cutlerfuneralhome.com.