James Patrick Lawlor's Obituary
James Patrick Lawlor Jr., 92 years of Columbia, IL, passed away on January 5, 2026 at Mercy Hospital South, St. Louis, MO. He was born February 6, 1933, in East St. Louis, IL, son of the late James Patrick and Gertrude, nee Droit, Lawlor, Sr. He was married to the late Anna Marie, nee Sonnenmoser. They were married on May 14, 1955 in Atchison, KS. She passed away on July 23, 2021.
Jim had retired from a career at Ameren - U.E., where he began as a welder's assistant, and retired as an executive secretary to the vice-president in Industrial Relations. He was a proud member of American Legion Post 581, where he served on the Honor Guard, past Chaplain, and Park Coordinator, past Columbia Khoury League President, past Blue Jay Football President, longtime baseball, softball, football, and soccer coach in Columbia, past member of the Columbia Planning Commission, past Monroe County Democratic Precinct Committeeman, member of Immaculate Conception Catholic Church, Holy Name Society, and Knights of Columbus Council 6165. He had served in the U.S. Army during the Korean War. Jim gave everyone he knew a nickname (and some were better than others), and greeted everyone by that name. He loved and lived for his family, and volunteered tirelessly for his church and community. If you needed help, he was there. It was true to say he could fix just about anything, except a broken heart, or the crack of dawn (his favorite saying). We have all lost a good man. Such devotion, hard work, commitment, and honesty are ever harder to replace.
Surviving are his children, Michael (Sandra) Lawlor of Columbia, IL, Dennis (Carol) Lawlor of Lake Quivira, KS, Karen M. Lawlor of Millstadt, IL; grandchildren, Mandy (Curtis) Willingham, Kristy (Luke) Row, Patrick (Amanda Schieler) Lawlor, Margaret (Andrew) Furth, Kelly (Austin) Hannifan, Sophie Lawlor-Sperry, Ethan Lawlor-Sperry; great-grandchildren, Lilly and Owen Willingham, Brock and Chase Row, Layla, Chloe, and Theo Furth, James, Eden, and Nora Lawlor, Noah, and Max Hannifan,, along with other relatives and friends.
Visitation will be Tuesday January 13, 2026, 9:30 am - 11:00 am at Immaculate Conception Catholic Church, Columbia, IL. Funeral Mass will follow visitation at 11:00 am at church. Interment will follow in the Jefferson Barracks National Cemetery, St. Louis, MO.
In lieu of customary remembrances, the family requests with gratitude that memorial contributions be directed to: American Legion Post 581 Auxiliary, 375 East Locust, Columbia, IL, 62236.
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