James "Jim" Loehr

James August Loehr, 76, of Grey Eagle died unexpectedly on Sunday, October 19, 2025 at St. Cloud Hospital in St. Cloud, Minnesota.

Jim was born in Melrose to Sophia (Schanhaar) and August Loehr. He enjoyed hunting, fishing, and spending time at Big Birch Lake with his friends and family. Jim graduated from Melrose High School in 1967 and went on to play football at NDSU. From 1970 to 1972 he served in the US Army and returned to attend St. Cloud State University where he met the love of his life Renee Johnston.

After college Jim worked in the natural gas pipeline industry eventually becoming a Regional Manager for NPL where he worked until his retirement. He will be remembered by his colleagues for his mentorship and exceptional leadership. He lived his life by the core values of his company and dedicated many years to its success. Through his work with NPL, he and Renee were able to live in some very special places in the US and Canada. Of course, these usually included world class fishing. After all, Jim always had a plan.

When Jim retired, they moved to the home they built on Big Birch Lake. Jim was a great storyteller and did he have some stories to tell. Friends were always welcome to join him as he sat on his favorite log bench outside his garage with tales of his adventures. Jim loved music and always had the radio playing in the background. He taught himself to carve totem poles and used his skills to craft wooden signs. Jim enjoyed golfing, pheasant hunting and spending time at deer camp with his family and friends, but his real passion was fishing. He spent many hours on his boat both on Big Birch and Lake of the Woods. Winter would find him in his fish house with a friend or two, or on his way to Mexico with Renee to fish the Sea of Cortez.

Jim will be remembered by those who knew him for his generous spirit and energetic love of life. He was preceded in death by his parents “Gus” and Sophia, and survived by his wife, Renee and his “pretty good” hunting dog Roscoe.

A Celebration of Life is being planned for the Spring.