James W. Logan

JAMES WALTER LOGAN Jim left this world on Sunday, August 20, 2023 at the Missouri Veteran's Home. He was born on November 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-38's, 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 over 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 amongst other medals and a presidential citation. After the war ended, Jim attended Rolla 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 Haliburton Oil in Texas. In 1950 his father asked that he take over the family landscaping and pest control business, so he returned to Cape. 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 Vo-Tech 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 activites and was District Commissioner for the Southeast area. For 18 years he served on our city's park board as well as marching in Cape'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 the Lions Club, the American Legion and the V.F.W. In business, he was the District Manager for the 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 10:00 am to 11:00 am on Saturday, August 26, 2023 at First Presbyterian Church in Cape Girardeau. His funeral service shall be observed at 11:00 am Saturday, August 26, 2023 at First Presbyterian Church on Broadway, where he was baptized as a baby, 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.

Tributes

James W. Logan

November 26, 1923 - August 20, 2023