James LeRoy Whitcomb, 74, passed away suddenly on Jan. 11, 2014, at Mountain Vista Medical Center in Mesa, Ariz.

James was born on June 29, 1939, in rural Hollandale, Minn., the son of Harold and Myrtle (Goldsberry) Whitcomb.

He graduated from Austin High School in 1957. Jim was united in marriage to Joanne Gross on Aug. 3, 1957.

Jim worked for the Milwaukee Railroad in Austin and later worked as an independent truck driver. He also worked for local growers in the area. He enjoyed camping and fishing.

Jim is survived by his wife, JoAnne Whitcomb, Hayfield, Minn.; three sons: Daryl (Tammy) Whitcomb, Northfield, Minn.; Doyle (Debra) Whitcomb, Imperial, Calif.; Duane (Kelly) Whitcomb, Calipatria, Calif.; one daughter: Diana (Daniel) DeRaad, Austin, Minn.; eight grandchildren; three step grandchildren; seven great-grandchildren; nine step-great-grandchildren; two brothers: Donald (Millie) Whitcomb, Austin, Minn.; Roger (Susan) Whitcomb, Sun City, Ariz.; and one sister-in-law, Shirley Whitcomb, Rockford, Ill.

He was preceded in death by his parents and one brother, Eugene.

The funeral service for James will be 2 p.m. Thursday, Jan. 23, 2014, at the Czaplewski Family Funeral Home, 501 Second St. NW in Hayfield with Rev. A.D. Sturm officiating. Interment will be in Fairview Cemetery in Hayfield.

Visitation will be 5 to 7 p.m. Wednesday, Jan. 22, 2014, at the Czaplewski Family Funeral Home and one hour before the service on Thursday.