Top Banner for James Isgar Obituary
James Isgar Obituary

Brought to you by Hood Mortuary

James Isgar

Durango, CO

May 5, 1951 - March 4, 2016

James Isgar Obituary

James Roger "Jim" Isgar passed away Friday, March 4, 2016, at Presbyterian/St. Luke’s Medical Center in Denver. A celebration of Jim's life will be held on Sunday, March 13, 2016, at 3:00 pm at First United Methodist Church, 2917 Aspen Drive, Durango, with burial to follow at Greenmount Cemetery. Jim was born May 5, 1951, in Durango, to Arthur Richard Isgar and Anne Louise (Wise) Isgar. He grew up in Breen, CO, and was very proud that he attended a nearby one-room schoolhouse. Jim first met his wife Brenda during their time at Durango High School and would reconnect with her years later. Jim was active in United Methodist Youth programs. As a young man on the family ranch, much was expected of Jim and he was a good student while fulfilling his ranching obligations. He played basketball and ran track. Though he was a student athlete and was gifted athletically, he didn’t allow non-athletic students to be bullied or belittled – he consistently stood up for the little guy. Jim also acquired a well-deserved reputation as the constructor of magnificent haystacks on the ranch. Jim came to understand water law and conservation through first-hand experience in dryland farming. Benefiting from both his farming experience and his father’s leadership role in local water conservation, Jim became a champion of water rights in Southwestern Colorado. Later in life, he picked up where Arthur, his dad, left off with the Animas-La Plata Water Project – this father and son team contributed significantly to bringing the water project to fruition. Jim raised all four of his children on the family farm and passed on his values, ethics and skills. He loved to go to farm and estate auctions and would often come home with more than he bargained for in these exchanges. The Marvel, Breen and Hesperus community loved Jim and felt welcome in his home at any time. In recent years, Jim was proud to sell his organic produce at the farmer’s market. He gifted the bounty of his stewardship of the land - his produce - to family and neighbors with great pride. The farmer’s market social exchange was a passionate and very fulfilling part of life that he proudly shared with many friends. Though he was an accomplished civil servant, Jim lived a complete life fulfilled through his family and friends as well as by the numerous positions he held. Jim truly enjoyed the simple things in life. He is remembered as always humming, singing or talking to himself. He loved his Colorado sunrises and sunsets and always woke up happy. His unification skills were exhibited early as he was a peacemaker in his family. He is remembered as having a wonderful quick wit, sometimes dry, but always humorous. It didn’t matter if he was meeting a government dignitary or a hardworking citizen, he always greeted folks with a strong handshake and genuine interest in their lives. He took noteworthy interest in people that seemed neglected by mainstream society. Through his travels and his service, he often found himself helping strangers, be it on the side of the road or in the legislature. Prone to stopping to help the waylaid traveler, he would sometimes be late to scheduled events. His adventures led to him being known as a great storyteller, too. Even with his busy political and civil service schedule, he still found time to coach his sons’ sports teams, be involved in 4-H projects and support other family interests. Jim had several qualities that, when coupled together, culminated in great leadership and natural teaching abilities. He had both common sense and tremendous intellect. When imparting knowledge to others, he would usually quiz his listeners to assure their retention. He was a natural teacher who gave freely of the knowledge he had acquired in his lifetime. State Senator Isgar was proud and humbled to serve Coloradans and he proudly ended his career with a Presidential USDA appointment that benefited people all across Colorado. Jim’s sister, Joan, imparted him with the gift of life – a blood stem cell donation and with that gift, Jim was able to live four years beyond his leukemia diagnosis. This let him truly live and spend time with his family in the rural community he loved. Jim lived his rich faith in God through his public service, love of family, Christian fellowship and love of all. Jim is survived by his wife, Brenda (married 8/17/1996 in Brownfield, TX); Sons: Matt and Andy; Daughters: Sarah (& Corey) Newton and Kate (& Riley) O’Brien; Step Son: Caleb (Tiffany) Loos; Sisters: Joan (& Byron) Kellogg, Nancy (& David) Bartelt, Shirley (& David) Allfred and Pam Wageman; Brother: Charles (& Rachel) Isgar; his Mother: Anne Louise Isgar; and his beloved Grandchildren: Regan, Wesley, Owen, Isaac, Hayllie, Lily, Violet and Abby. He was preceded in death by his father Arthur Isgar. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be sent to: Marvel Methodist Church Building Fund, PO Box 89, Marvel CO 81329 OR Leukemia & Lymphoma Society, Donor Services, PO Box 4072, Pittsfield, MA 01202.

To share a memory or send a condolence gift, please visit the Official Obituary of James Isgar hosted by Hood Mortuary.

Events

Event information can be found on the Official Obituary of James Isgar.