James Robert Thorson

Monday, October 30, 2017 1:53 pm

James Robert Thorson, 74, passed away Oct. 25, 2017, surrounded by loved ones in Denver, Colo.

He was born in Spring Grove, Minn. July 12, 1943, to Della and Arnold Thorson. Jim spent his young life on the family farm helping in the fields and with the chores. In his free time, he roamed the fields and woods with his siblings, especially his twin sister Judy, riding their bikes, hunting squirrels, and playing with his cousins who lived on the next farm over. He attended Big Canoe Lutheran Church in rural Decorah, and went to high school in Spring Grove, Minn. In 1963 Jim enlisted in the US Army and served as a helicopter crew chief in Vietnam. He was awarded the Air Medal by the president for repeated aerial missions over hostile territory, and for his professionalism and devotion to duty. He was honorably discharged in 1966. Jim has spent most of his adult life in the Denver, Colo. area where he managed a title company and was a residential realtor, and where his children grew up.

Jim dearly loved his children, Erik and Kate, and his family. In addition he loved golf, skiing, motorcycle riding, dogs, and playing Euchre with the family. He was the best trash talker of them all.

He is survived by his children and their families: Cathleen and Ben Greene, and grandchildren Cameron, and Ryan of Austin Texas; Erik and Mandi Thorson, and grandchildren Paige, Beckham and Aiden of Brighton, Colo.; sisters and brothers and their families: Judy and Wally Klodnicki of Ft Collins, Colo., Esther and Gary Roverud of Melbourne Beach, Fla., Don and Judy Thorson of Deep Creek, Md. and Owen and Carol Thorson of Spring Grove, Minn.; 13 nieces and nephews and their families.

He was preceded in death by his parents and his brother, Steve.

A graveside service is at Fort Logan National Cemetery, Denver, Nov. 9, at 2:30 p.m., staging area B. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to VFW Post 2461, 1350 S. Broadway, Denver CO 80210, or to your local American Legion or VFW in Jim’s name. Condolence cards can be sent to J.Klodnicki, 6802 Nimitz Dr. C-103, Ft Collins, Co. 80526, or jtklodnicki@gmail.com (Judy).