James Leo O' Rourke

James Leo O' Rourke
September 26, 1941 - March 13, 2009
Iowa City and formerly of North English
Visitation: 4 PM to 7 PM with a Prayer Service at 7 PM March 15, 2009 at Powell Funeral Home, North English, IA
Funeral Service: 10 AM March 16, 2009 at St. Joseph Catholic Church, North English, IA
Interment: March 16, 2009 at Armah Cemetery, rural North English, IA
James Leo O'Rourke, age 67, of Iowa City and formerly North English died following a sudden illness on Friday, March 13, 2009 at University of Iowa Hospitals & Clinics in Iowa City. A funeral mass will be held at 10:00 AM on Monday, March 16, 2009 at St. Joseph Catholic Church in North English with Rev. Pat Lumsden officiating. Concelebrants include Rev. David Wilkening, Rev. Tom Spiegel and Rev. David Hitch. Burial will be in the Armah cemetery near North English. Visitation will be held at the Powell Funeral Home in North English on Sunday, March 15, 2009 from 4 PM to 7 PM with a Prayer Service following at 7 PM. Jim is survived by his mother Theresa O'Rourke of North English; brothers John (Kathy) O'Rourke of North English; Joe (Joyce) O'Rourke Sr. of Geneseo, IL; Jerry (Sherri) of Tipton, IA; Jeff (Cindy) O'Rourke of Bettendorf, IA; Jay (Gail) O'Rourke of North English; and an adopted brother Paul Moyer of Iowa City, IA; 11 nieces and nephews; and several great nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by his father Leo and a nephew Christopher John O'Rourke. James Leo O'Rourke was born on September 26, 1941, near Williamsburg, IA, the son of Leo and Theresa Agnew O'Rourke. He grew up in North English and graduated from North English High School in 1960. He enjoyed hunting and fishing. Jim was injured on the job while working for Natural Gas Pipeline Company in November 1963. In 1965, he started O'Rourke Brothers Distributing (now O'Rourke Sales Co.) and served as Chairman of the Board. Jim moved from North English to Iowa City in 1993. He loved raising cattle, dogs, horses and exotic animals. He was a caring and generous man who was a source of inspiration to everyone that knew him. He often fed homeless people who knocked on his door looking for work. He would patiently listen to them, encourage them, and sent along with them with a sack lunch when they left. Jim loved to trace his family tree and his Irish heritage. He kept in touch with other relatives, helping them with their searches. His Catholic Faith was most important in his life. He prayed daily for his family and friends. He loved and trusted God, his Savior and prayed the rosary daily to Our Lady of Perpetual Help. Jim was a blessing to his family, friends and everyone he met. He will be greatly missed by all. He died peacefully in his sleep on Friday, March 13, 2009 at University of Iowa Hospitals & Clinics in Iowa City.