James Logan

James "Jim" Walter Logan left this world Sunday, Aug. 20, 2023, at Missouri Veterans Home.

He was born Nov. 26, 1923, a Thanksgiving baby, in Cape Girardeau to James C. and Blanche Gray Logan, both university professors.

He was preceded in death by his parents; his sister, Catherine; and his dearly beloved wife, Rosemary.

Jim graduated from Cape Girardeau Central High School in 1941 and attended Southeast Missouri State University for two years, where he was a member of the Benton Fraternity.

Wanting to serve his country during World War II, in 1943 he traveled to Jefferson Barracks near St. Louis and enlisted in the U.S. Army Air Corps. Training ensued in Texas and California in P-38s, the "fork-tailed devil" as the German forces called them.

Jim sailed to Britain on the Queen Elizabeth I, and then was based in France for more than 55 missions into Germany. There, he was involved in the Battle of the Bulge and the Remagen Bridgehead Battle as a fighter pilot in the 367th Fighter Squadron of the 9th Air Force. His group was called "The Dynamite Gang". His duty earned him the rank of captain, and he received the Distinguished Flying Cross, among other medals, and a presidential citation.

After the war ended, Jim attended Rolla (Missouri) School of Mines, graduating with a degree in mechanical engineering. While there, he joined the Sigma Pi Fraternity.

The following two years were spent working for Halliburton Oil in Texas. In 1950, his father asked that he take over the family landscaping and pest control business, so he returned to Cape Girardeau. There, in 1951, he met, loved and married his wife of 62 years, Rosemary Craig. Their dear son, Craig, was born in 1955, but sadly died in 2006.

Jim ran a successful and acclaimed business until retiring in 1974. Then he was employed as a horticulture instructor at the Cape Girardeau Vocational-Technical School. His students loved him and corresponded with him for many years.

He traveled extensively with his wife to 55 countries. This and raising many great dogs and cats gave him great joy.

He was always involved in Boy Scout activities and was district commissioner for the Southeast area. For 18 years he served on the city's park board, as well as marching in Cape Girardeau's famous "Golden Troopers". He made their trips to California, Minnesota and New York City, and always claimed he only "carried his bugle".

Jim was also a member of Lions Club, American Legion and VFW. In business, he was the district manager for Missouri Department of Pest Control.

Jim's favorite service to his home town was the saving and implementation of the May Greene Garden on Themis Street, saving it from becoming just another parking lot. He served it well, many times as president of the governing association, laying the brick walk or doing just plain hard work. This beautiful garden has lost a lot of its glory as the diligent workers aged, but it functions today as a useful city park.

Visitation will be from 10 to 11 a.m. Saturday, Aug. 26, at First Presbyterian Church in Cape Girardeau, where he was baptized as a baby.

His funeral service shall be at 11 a.m. Saturday, Aug. 26, at the church, with the Rev. Ellen Gurnon officiating.

Burial will be at Cape County Memorial Park Cemetery in Cape Girardeau. Full military rites will be provided by Missouri Honors Team.

Please send your memories of him with love as memorial gifts to his church, First Presbyterian Church, Alzheimer's Association or Southeast Missouri Pets.

Ford and Sons Mount Auburn Funeral Home is in charge of arrangements.

Online condolences may be sent at www.fordandsonsfuneralhome.com.