James "Jim" LaRock

James Ray LaRock-“Jim”- was born on July 4^th, 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 community teams is how he spent much of his youth.  He attended NDSU for four years, then moved back to New Town where he worked as a carpenter for a short while, before taking a job at Northrop Grumman in accounting until he retired.

Jim met Jeanette Holien fishing on Lake Sakakawea 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 handyman for his family.

He was a wonderful father and grandfather. He always made time to spend a moment with his children and grandchildren, whether it was taking 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 Annabelle and Alaina, all of Bismarck. He was proceeded in death by his mother Elaine LaRock, father Duane “Buck” LaRock, and brother Jerry LaRock.