December 11, 2021
by David Lawler
James Douglas Lawler was born in Chicago on December 11, 1938. He entered into eternal rest at his home in Laguna Beach on March 14, 2020 surrounded by his loved ones. He will be greatly missed by his entire family.
Jim was the middle of three boys born to Helen and George Lawler. The family moved from Chicago to Kansas City when Jim was a young boy. He spent his formative years in this great midwestern city where the family was very active within the community. It was at this time too that he developed his extreme passion for Kansas City sports including the Royals and Chiefs, which never diminished throughout his life.
Jim graduated from Rockhurst High School in 1955 and from the University of Missouri in 1960 where he was an active member of the Beta Theta Pi fraternity. Shortly after graduating, he moved to California to begin a career with State Farm Insurance. Jim started in Orange County, Calif., as a claims adjuster with the goal of becoming an agent. In June of 1961, Jim married his college sweetheart, Elizabeth (Liz) Novinger, and they settled in Costa Mesa before moving to Laguna Beach in 1962. Jim became an agent that same year and was sent to this picturesque coastal town where he started and retired from his 50-plus-year career.
Jim built his State Farm clientele simply by getting involved in the things he cared about most: community and church, then later, his kids’ school, sports, and life activities. Although Jim built a very successful business, more important to him was the fact he was able to make great friends in his fellow agents and their families as well as with his clients. Jim (and frequently his family) enjoyed a variety of great trips with State Farm – both on District trips and Millionaire outings. Some highlights include Mazatlán, Acapulco, multiple Hawaii trips, and Munich.
In July 1998, Jim’s wife Liz passed away from cancer. In 2000, he married Mary Rutkowski, and they continued to be involved with the community, family (which now expanded to include Mary’s children and grandchildren), and of course State Farm.
Finally, in 2014, Jim retired from State Farm. He continued to visit with his fellow agents and clients and remained very involved with Rotary and St. Catherine of Siena Church. He also continued to travel, which was a lifelong passion. Jim was actually on a cruise in late November when he became ill. A fighter until the end, Jim tried hard to conquer this latest challenge, but the Lord had other plans for this amazing Father, Husband, Grandfather, Great Grandfather, Friend, Community Activist, and former agent of State Farm.
Jim is survived by his four children, his three step-children, and his numerous grandchildren and great grandchildren, as well as his wife, Mary. He was preceded in death by one son Gregory James and his wife Liz.
Jim was the middle of three boys born to Helen and George Lawler. The family moved from Chicago to Kansas City when Jim was a young boy. He spent his formative years in this great midwestern city where the family was very active within the community. It was at this time too that he developed his extreme passion for Kansas City sports including the Royals and Chiefs, which never diminished throughout his life.
Jim graduated from Rockhurst High School in 1955 and from the University of Missouri in 1960 where he was an active member of the Beta Theta Pi fraternity. Shortly after graduating, he moved to California to begin a career with State Farm Insurance. Jim started in Orange County, Calif., as a claims adjuster with the goal of becoming an agent. In June of 1961, Jim married his college sweetheart, Elizabeth (Liz) Novinger, and they settled in Costa Mesa before moving to Laguna Beach in 1962. Jim became an agent that same year and was sent to this picturesque coastal town where he started and retired from his 50-plus-year career.
Jim built his State Farm clientele simply by getting involved in the things he cared about most: community and church, then later, his kids’ school, sports, and life activities. Although Jim built a very successful business, more important to him was the fact he was able to make great friends in his fellow agents and their families as well as with his clients. Jim (and frequently his family) enjoyed a variety of great trips with State Farm – both on District trips and Millionaire outings. Some highlights include Mazatlán, Acapulco, multiple Hawaii trips, and Munich.
In July 1998, Jim’s wife Liz passed away from cancer. In 2000, he married Mary Rutkowski, and they continued to be involved with the community, family (which now expanded to include Mary’s children and grandchildren), and of course State Farm.
Finally, in 2014, Jim retired from State Farm. He continued to visit with his fellow agents and clients and remained very involved with Rotary and St. Catherine of Siena Church. He also continued to travel, which was a lifelong passion. Jim was actually on a cruise in late November when he became ill. A fighter until the end, Jim tried hard to conquer this latest challenge, but the Lord had other plans for this amazing Father, Husband, Grandfather, Great Grandfather, Friend, Community Activist, and former agent of State Farm.
Jim is survived by his four children, his three step-children, and his numerous grandchildren and great grandchildren, as well as his wife, Mary. He was preceded in death by one son Gregory James and his wife Liz.