James “Jim” Kerr passed away with his daughter, Ashley, at his side on August 4, 2022 at Fairview Ridges Hospital in Burnsville, MN after an eight month battle with congestive heart failure. Mass of Christian Burial will be at 1:00 pm on Friday, August 12, 2022 at St. Mary’s Catholic Church in Tracy. Visitation will be 11:00 a.m. – 1:00 p.m. Friday at the church. Interment is in Calvary Catholic Cemetery in Tracy. Stephens Funeral Service – Tracy Area Funeral Home is assisting the family with arrangements.
On March 31st, 1936, twin sons, John Roger and James Emmanuel, were born to Johanna (O’Hearn) and John Byron (Bevo) Kerr in Tracy, MN. Jim lived in Tracy with his parents, Aunt Marie, sister Betty, brother Roger and cousin Eleene Gorman. He then accompanied his grandmother, Margaret O’Hearn, on her return to Oregon in 1944, where he remained until 1952. He returned to Tracy for his senior year in 1952. Jim then attended Saint Thomas College from 1953 -1957. He followed up his undergraduate degree by attending The Law School at the University of Minnesota, graduating in 1960. Jim was then admitted to the Minnesota State Bar in 1961 beginning his career as an Irish Country Lawyer. Jim later received a direct commission as a first lieutenant in the Air Force Judge Advocate Corp. He served from January 1st, 1965 to June 14th, 1965. As he arrived at Lackland Airforce Base, Jim suffered a grand mal seizure and spent 28 days in Wilford Hall Hospital. He then was appointed civil law judge advocate at Lackland. Unfortunately, due to the seizure, Jim was terminated by two physical PEB boards and was honorably discharged. Jim then returned to Tracy and was appointed Tracy City Attorney in 1973 and served in that position for 33 years. Meanwhile, he served as the City Attorney for a variety of other towns. On October 24th, 1981, Jim had a daughter, Ashley Leona. Ashley was a Godsend to Jim since birth. Jim was very proud of his Irish heritage and tried to be a good Roman Catholic for the last 40 years.
Jim is survived by his daughter Ashley Leona (Lucas) Picard; 3 grandchildren: Leona Maria, Gabriel Michael, Gianna Rose; and cousin Eleene Gorman, who was more like a sister to Jim. He is preceded in death by his mother and father, Johanna & John, sister Elaine Betty Jane and twin brother John Roger.
