James LeRoy Suhr, 80, Nashville, TN, passed away on Thursday, July 2, 2020. James was born on April 25, 1940 to Robert and Reva Suhr.  He was baptized and confirmed at Our Saviors Lutheran Church in Flandreau, South Dakota. James (Jim) started his education at District #42, Tidd Country School and graduated from Flandreau High School in 1958. After graduation, he attended South Dakota State University in Brookings, South Dakota where he received a Bachelor of Science Degree in Agricultural Engineering. After college graduation, Jim moved to Montana to work for the Bureau of Land Management where he met Margaret Kay Burroughs.  They were married March 21, 1965 in Malta, Montana and moved to Kewanee, Illinois where he worked as an Engineer for Kewanee Machinery and Conveyor.In March of 1966, their son Kevin was born.  In December of 1968, their daughter Jill was born and the family was complete.

In 1972, Jim opened a small real estate company in a rented office that was called "Heritage Real Estate".  Two years later, as the company continued to grow, he and Margaret relocated the business to a building they purchased in downtown Kewanee. Jim and Margaret worked non-stop and in 1975 purchased a farm 10 miles west of town. In 1979 the family bought a farm in Elkton, South Dakota and relocated to be closer to Jim's parents.

During his time as a South Dakota farmer, Jim held many titles, including:

• Chairman of the Board of Directors for South Dakota State University Crop Improvement Association. Jim and Margaret raised and sold foundation, registered and certified soybean seed
• Agricultural Finance Counselor for the State of South Dakota during the farming crisis of the 1980's
• Lifetime Member of the Our Saviors Lutheran Church and Member of the Church Building Committee
• Expert Witness for farm accident litigation issues
• President of the Moody County, South Dakota Pork Producers

Jim and Margaret travelled extensively, including visits to Germany, Korea, Hawaii, Italy, Turkey and the Cayman islands.  In 2011, they retired to Nashville, Tennessee to be closer to family. He loved spending time with his three grandchildren, John Robert Casey, Jamisen Margaret Casey and Jordan Marie Suhr.

Jim is survived by his wife, Margaret Kay, his son Kevin, his daughter-in-law Cara Canady-Suhr, his son-in-law John Joseph Casey, his three grandchildren and numerous family members.

Jim had the joy of being escorted into Heaven by his daughter, Jill Marie who preceded him in passing.   He was also preceded in death by his father Robert, his mother Reva, his brother Jordan, his brother Ronald and his nephew Dallas.

In lieu of flowers, please send donations to: Alive Hospice, 1718 Patterson St, Nashville, TN 37203

"Some people journey through life, leaving footprints of kindness, courage and compassion of faith.  Even when they are gone, the trail they leave behind continues to touch many lives."

Funeral services will be 11:00 am Thursday, July 22, 2021 at Our Savior's Lutheran Church, Flandreau, SD with burial in Union Cemetery, Flandreau, SD.