James Frank Laqua

James (Jim) Frank Laqua, age 79, passed away on July 25, 2023 in Eagle Point, Oregon following an extended illness. He was a native of Lake City, Minnesota and son of the late Elmer Laqua and Anna Rose (Deming) Laqua Weick. Besides his parents, he was preceded in death by his step-father, Luvern Weick, three sisters, Diane Laqua, Patricia (Laqua) Duncan and Kathleen (Laqua) Nelson, and wives Bertha (Kaye) Laqua (d. 1989) and Arlene (Shaw) Laqua (d. 2014).

Jim was a proud member of the 5th Marines, serving in the Vietnam War. Over the past 30 years, he dedicated his life to helping others. He held an enormous sense of pride in his sons and his grandchildren. Jim spoke often of being a friend of Bill W. for more than 30 years, a friendship that changed his life.

Jim is survived by his sons, John (Lisa) Laqua of North Pole, AK, and Mike Laqua of Huntington Beach, CA; step-daughter Joelene Ortega of Eagle Point, OR; four grandchildren, Alan Laqua, Keaton Laqua, Anna Laqua and Kamden Laqua; three sisters and one brother, Janet (Tom) Healy, Marilyn Watterson, Jean (Jim) Moldenhauer, and Bill (Kerry) Laqua; two brothers-in-law, Orv Nelson and Mike Duncan; several nieces and nephews.

Jim will be laid to rest August 11, 2023 at 9:00 AM at Eagle Point National Cemetery. The family requests in lieu of flowers that friends make a donation to the Vietnam Veterans’ Memorial Fund In Memory Program. You may contribute at https://www.vvmf.org/Support-In-Memory/.