Loving husband, father, grandfather, brother, uncle and friend, Jim was called to Heaven on Nov. 30, after defying the odds and courageously battling cancer.

Jim was born on Feb. 7, 1942 in Loose Creek, Mo., the eldest of nine children born to Lambert and Mary Agnes Borgmeyer. He initially followed a religious vocation by studying the priesthood at La Salette Seminary for two years, and later graduated from Helias High School, both in Jefferson City, Mo.

Jim went on to serve in the United States Navy from 1960 to 1964 as a radioman on the USS Mount Katmai. At only 19 years of age, he was the youngest radioman in the Pacific fleet to achieve the rank of E5. He was sent overseas four times, and served in Hawaii, Japan, Hong Kong, Okinawa, Guam and the Philippines.

Jim was hired at Sears as a “tire-buster” in 1964. He was promoted numerous times throughout his career, and was located in Concord, San Jose, Chico and Sacramento, as well as the regional headquarters in Hayward while he was the Regional Auto Center manager for 38 stores in Northern California. After 39 years with the company, he retired as the store manager for Sears Sunrise, the fifth largest store in the nation. At the time of his retirement, he was the only person to achieve this position without a college degree.

Jim enjoyed a variety of sports, primarily fishing, golf, baseball and football. He loved taking long road trips with his wife and spending time with his children and grandchildren. He was a kind, generous, hardworking, strong man who always had time to help others and never wavered in loyalty to his family.

Jim was preceded in death by his parents, and siblings Mary Beth Borgmeyer and Robert Borgmeyer. He is survived by his loving wife of 38 years, Connie; his six children, Diana Borgmeyer, James B. Borgmeyer II, Kelly Royse, Machelle Borgmeyer, Tina DeRita and Tom Borgmeyer; sons-in-law Darrin DeRita and Bill Royse; daughter-in-law Karina Borgmeyer; five grandchildren, Brittani DeRita, Steffani DeRita, Jarid DeRita, Daltry Royse and Rachelle Borgmeyer; six siblings, Nancy Zimmer, Dot Grotemeyer, Dan Borgmeyer, Larry Borgmeyer, Jerry Borgmeyer and Gary Borgmeyer; and many nieces and nephews.