James Ray “Jim” LaRock
July 4, 1948 – Jan. 1, 2020
James Ray
LaRock-“Jim”– was born
on July 4th, 1948, in
Minot, North Dakota, to
Duane and Elaine LaRock.
He passed in his home on
January 1, 2020, from a
struggle with pulmonary
fibrosis. Funeral services
will be held at 11:00 a.m.
Tuesday, January 7, at
Parkway Funeral Service,
2330 Tyler Pkwy,
Bismarck.
Burial will be held at
11:00 a.m. Wednesday,
December 8, at New Town
Cemetery, New Town.
Jim spent his early
years in Van Hook until
the flooding caused by the
Garrison Diversion sent
them to New Town,
where he graduated in
1966. Playing baseball,
basketball, and golf with
his brother and communi-ty teams is how he spent
much of his youth. He at-
tended NDSU for four
years, then moved back to
New Town where he
worked as a carpenter for
a short while, before tak-
ing a job at Northrop
Grumman in accounting
until he retired.
Jim met Jeanette Holien
fishing on Lake Saka-
kawea and they married
in 1972. Jim and Jeanette
settled in New Town and
they raised their two
daughters, Ali and Katie,
there.
Jim loved spending
hours walking along the
lake with his dog. It was
his happy place and he
found a great deal of
peace in nature. He was a
great golfer and an avid
collector of pottery and
antiques. Jim loved to use
his hands, whether it was
woodworking, refinishing
antiques, or being a han-
dyman for his family.
He was a wonderful fa-
ther and grandfather. He
always made time to
spend a moment with his
children and grandchil-
dren, whether it was tak-
ing his daughters golfing,
shooting baskets with
them, or reading books
and playing toys with his
granddaughters.
Jim was a gentle person
who was known for his
kindness and quirky sense
of humor. People, kids
especially, loved being
around him as he didn’t
demand anything from
anyone. He let them be
themselves. He was also
willing to help anyone in
need and cared deeply
about others.
He is survived by his
wife of 47 years, Jeanette
LaRock, daughters Katie
LaRock and Ali LaRock,
and granddaughters An-
nabelle and Alaina, all of
Bismarck. He was pro-
ceeded in death by his
mother Elaine LaRock, fa-
ther Duane “Buck”
LaRock, and brother Jerry
LaRock.