Jim Lohr

Jim L. Lohr, 82, died Saturday, June 24, 2017, at Chateau Girardeau in Cape Girardeau.

Jim was born Sept. 22, 1934, in Colchester, Illinois. He was the oldest son of Loren and Katherine (Jarvis) Lohr.

Jim lived his early life in Colchester, later moving to Poplar Bluff, Missouri, where he graduated from high school.

Jim attended Southeast Missouri State College on an athletic scholarship, earning a varsity letter in four sports, with football and track and field as his primary focus. In the shot put, Jim held the Southeast record and was All-Conference. Jim was an All-American offensive lineman his senior year, as well as captain of Southeast's undefeated 1955 team.

Upon graduation, Jim was drafted by the Baltimore Colts, but he had a commitment to the Marine Corps to complete before being able to join the Colts. Jim served proudly as a tank commander and an officer in the Marine Corps and reported to training camp with the Colts in 1958. An injury prior to the beginning of the regular season closed the door on his playing career but opened the door to what would become his true calling, coaching.

Jim's first job was that of a teacher and assistant football coach at Cape Girardeau Central High School. From there, he went on to become the head football coach at Poplar Bluff High School, where he also coached basketball and track and field. Throughout Jim's time with Poplar Bluff, he coached many athletes who went on to play college football, including some who went on to play professionally, as well as coaching the only undefeated football team in Poplar Bluff's history (1966).

During the summer of 1969, Jim toured Europe with the USA national track team as a shot put and discus coach. Following that summer, Jim began the next chapter in his coaching career as a defensive line coach with his alma mater, Southeast Missouri State College. Eventually, Jim earned the position of head coach, winning multiple conference championships.

Coaching was Jim's true passion, and his true loves were his players and the men with whom he coached. Jim maintained friendships with many of these men that would last until the end of his life.

After retiring from coaching, Jim filled other roles in the university that utilized his skills and background, including serving as assistant athletic director. Following his retirement, Jim enjoyed fishing, gardening and storytelling, a skill that provided many of his friends and family with hours of entertainment. Eventually, Jim moved to his beloved family farm in Colchester, where he would spend some of his happiest years with his wife, Janie.

Jim was preceded in death by his parents, Loren and Katherine Lohr; his brother, Bob Lohr; and his wife, Jane Lohr.

Jim is survived by his two sons, David (Connie) and John (Julie) Lohr; his three grandchildren, Allison, Sara and Lucas; as well as his sister-in-law, Barbara, and his niece, nephews and great-nieces and -nephews.

Visitation will be from 4 to 8 p.m. Friday at Ford and Sons Mount Auburn Funeral Home in Cape Girardeau.

A memorial service will be at 11 a.m. Saturday at the funeral home.

Memorials may take the form of contributions to the Dr. Joe Worth Memorial Scholarship Fund or the Southeast Missouri State University Athletic Scholarship Fund.

Online condolences may be shared at fordandsonsfuneralhome.com.