James Leroy Harner passed away on 2/5/23 at home in Two Harbors, MN, at the age of 98. He was born in Chicago, IL on 9/15/24, to Leroy and Grace (Danielson) Harner. He had three siblings – older sister Marian Roberts, and younger brothers William and Robert. 

Jim graduated from Roosevelt High School in Chicago in 1942 and served in the Navy in WWII as a First Class Radio Man. He earned a Bachelor’s degree and then a Master’s in Education from Cal State LA. He was a high school science and math teacher in the Pomona, CA, retiring in 1985. 

Jim met Janis Lillian (neé Romell) Harner at an ice skating rink in Los Angeles, and they married in 1955. They had six children – Joy, Jay, Jon, Jill, Jean and Jennifer. In 1968, they purchased property on Marble Lake in northern Minnesota, and spent many summers there. They lived in Ontario, CA from 1955 to 2021, and then moved to Two Harbors, MN. 

Jim enjoyed golfing, camping, boating, swimming, fishing, and playing cards. He took lots of photos and home movies. He often told his kids to “quit lollygagging and do something constructive.” He loved a good deal, especially if it was a classic car, a house, or land. He had a great sense of humor, always spoke his mind, and had a signature wave. 

Jim is survived by his wife, Janis and his six children – Joy Elson of Nevada City, CA, Jay Harner, Jon Harner, and Jill Turnquist of Two Harbors, MN, Jean Block of Flagstaff, AZ, and Jennifer Harner of Duluth, MN. He is also survived by his six grandchildren (Jason, Jade, Kim, Amy, Cooper and Bryce), two great grandchildren (Kai and Lillian) and his brother William Harner of Titusville, FL. 

Jim’s final resting place is at the Minnesota State Veteran’s Cemetery in Saginaw.