James Harlan LeCocq

Born on July 18, 1946, to Harlan and Anine (Svendsen) LeCocq, in Cedar Falls, IA, Jim grew up in Waterloo, IA, where his parents operated an accounting business—instilling in him a love of math and problem-solving from a young age. Jim enlisted in the Navy in 1964, eventually serving on a destroyer during the Vietnam era. He married Amy (Kuennen) in 1975. Jim met Amy while he was working road construction as an asphalt paver operator and she was a flag girl.

Jim held several jobs before landing his dream job as an electrical engineer. He delivered Winnebago’s, worked as an equipment operator, and was a mechanic for a diesel tractor/trailer fleet. He began working as an electronics technician at EF Johnson in 1984, continued his education to earn his BSEE, and became a software engineer. He retired from EF Johnson in 2017 after 33 years.

Jim was most proud of his daughters, Sarah and Beth, and loved watching their families grow.

He will be remembered for his quick wit, generosity with those he loved most, and his wide array of hobbies—such as his entrepreneurial courier service, building RC planes, gardening, bowling, darts, playing his vintage Gibson guitar, and watching Hallmark Christmas movies. He was an avid reader of history, especially the Civil War. Throughout his life, reading and golf were constants. A highlight was shooting his age at 75. Jim and Amy loved traveling and enjoyed many camping vacations in MN, FL, TX, and the West.

He was a lifelong fan of The Rolling Stones, having seen them in concert 15 times—always with tickets on Keith’s side of the stage. A core family memory was seeing them together at TCF Bank Stadium in 2015, where Jim’s unfiltered joy was on full display as he yelled Keith’s name.

He is survived by his wife, Amy LeCocq of Waseca; daughters Sarah (Steve) Ketter of St. Louis Park and Beth (Grady) Glynn of Minnetonka; and grandchildren Sophie Ketter, Shay Ketter, Charlotte Glynn, and Griffin Glynn, and special friends Connie and Dallas Janssen. He was preceded in death by his parents, Harlan and Anine LeCocq.

A memorial service for James will be held at 11:00 AM on Friday August 15, 2025 at the Third Street Chapel of Dennis-Steffel-Omtevedt Funeral and Cremation Service in Waseca, MN; Pastor Ashley Kuhlman will officiate. James' family will greet guests at a visitation one hour prior to the service at the funeral home.