James E. O’Rourke

James Eugene “Jimbo” O’Rourke, age 90, of Gaylord, Michigan, passed away suddenly on October 11, 2022.

He was born on February 10, 1932, to Marcus and Gertrude (Crane) O’Rourke, of Gaylord, Michigan.

Jim will long be remembered for operating his dairy farm. At the young age of 15, Jim worked in the woods, logging. At the age of twenty-one, Jim went to work at Higgins Industry, where he put in twenty-five years, all while still farming and raising his family. Jim loved to spend time just watching his cows.

Jim is survived by his wife, Elta “Lorraine” (Mason) O’Rourke, to whom he was married for 68 years; children, James (Sandy) O’Rourke of Gaylord, Doug (Diann) O’Rourke of Florida, Dianna Corey of Alanson, Janet (John) Borowiak of Gaylord, and Cathy O’Rourke, of Gaylord. He is also survived by two of his brothers, Donald O’Rourke, and Richard (Carrie) O’Rourke of Vanderbilt; 19 grandchildren, 34 great-grandchildren, and four great-great-grandchildren.

He was preceded in death by his parents, Marcus, and Gertrude; his mother- and father-in-law, Francis and Myrtle (Hinkley) Mason; four sisters and five brothers; his son, Gerald “Butchie” O’Rourke; and four grandchildren, Douglas O’Rourke, Bradly O’Rourke, Angela Corey, and Michael Borowiak.

Funeral services will be held on Saturday, October 22, 2022, at 1:00 p.m. from the Nelson Funeral Home, with visitation beginning at 11:00 a.m.

Arrangements were entrusted to Nelson Funeral Home and Cremation Service, P.O. Box 1548, Gaylord, MI 49734.