James Louis Kilgore

James Louis Kilgore was born in North Dakota, received the Order of the Coif from the University of North Dakota upon graduating from its law school and practiced law in Bismarck before joining the service as WWII loomed for the United States. In Bismarck, he met his life partner, Virginia Cayou, and together they created a marriage that lasted 70 years. He served his country with disctinction as a Staff Judge Advocate in the Air Force. As part of the 440th Troop Carrier Group, Jim went to Britain and then France after it was liberated. Occupying the town of Orleans, France, the 440th was proud to help restore the statue of St. Joan of Arc which was damaged during the battles for the town. While in Europe, he loved speaking French and German and later, as the Staff Judge Advocate for 16th Air Force, headquartered at Torrejon AFB in Madrid, Spain he learned to love speaking Spanish as well. Jim passed on his love for languages and stories to his children and grandchildren. His grandchildren loved to hear him say ""Ich liebe dich"" and ""Hola"" and ""Guapa"". As he traveled the United States as a career military officer, he introduced his family to the wild, wide variety of this wonderful country he loved and served. They lived in Alaska before it was a state. They camped in trailers on the East Coast and in national parks around the country. The family grew up - in the South, in Alaska, in Washington, D.C., in California and they always returned to North Dakota where their families greeted them with open arms. When Jim reached his last assignment, Lowry AFB, he said ""Eso Es"" and here he retired. All the children and grands had a new home: Colorado. It was after retirement that Jim and Ginny's travels truly began: Japan, Germany and all over with the Silverado Club of the Church of the Risen Christ. He loved the world and his friends and his family. He loved visiting family in Hawaii and added ""Mahalo"" and ""Aloha"" to his often used words. The family grew up loving the sound of his voice as he told stories, the gentle touch of his hand which reassured all that they were guaranteed a sun rising in the east and setting in the west, a lively wit that never failed to lift spirits. Jim's family encourages you to share your stories and memories with them. The family celebrates a life - lived to the full - shared with so many. With their gratitude and love, the family of Jim Kilgore