James Byron Thomas Renaud

James Byron Thomas Renaud, 72 of Floodwood passed away peacefully on Tuesday, May 10, 2016 in St. Luke's Hospital in Duluth with his daughters by his side. He was born March 12, 1944 in Hibbing to Thomas and June Renaud. The family moved to Proctor in 46. Jim graduated from Proctor High School in1962. After high school he moved to California until he joined the service. Jim was an Army veteran serving during the Vietnam Conflict. Upon his discharge in 1969, Jim returned to Proctor where he met and married Cheryl Rae Hagen Willoughby on September 12, 1970. He worked as a cement mason/finisher for many years until retiring in 2005. After his retirement he moved to the Prairie Lake/Floodwood area. Jim was a member of the Cement Mason's Union. He was an active member of the Floodwood VFW and its Honor Guard. Jim was the driving force that helped get the honor guard started and kept it going. He was also instrumental in the construction and maintenance of the Veteran's Memorial in Floodwood. Jim enjoyed hunting, fishing, gardening and cooking. He had a great love for stock car racing his entire life. He not only raced cars, he built them as well. Jim also taught ATV and gun safety in Proctor and Floodwood. Jim was preceded in death by his wife, Cheryl; and two sisters, Corinne McGovern and Margaret "Mugs" Renaud. He is survived by his daughters, Tammy (Jim) Wells of Iowa and Maria (Jerry) Rovello of Duluth; brother, Bob (Debbie) of Proctor; sisters, Bette (Tony) Willoughby of Superior, Mary (Tom) Lambert of Hermantown, and Leslie (Lee) Carlson of Alborn; two grandchildren, Cody Renaud and Bryan Rovello; and two great grandchildren, Blair and Ashlynn Thompson. The family would like to offer a special thank you to Pathway's to Achievement therapy and to St. Luke's Hospice staff and Dr. Kleinschmidt for the compassionate care that Jim received. Visitation: 10 until the 11:00 a.m. Memorial Service Friday, May 20, 2016 in Hope Lutheran Church, Floodwood. Military Honors will be accorded by the Floodwood VFW Honor Guard. Inurnment will be in Forest Hill Cemetery, Van Buren Township. A time of lunch and fellowship will follow in the church social hall. Arrangements entrusted to Atkins Northland Funeral Home, Cloquet. To sign the guest book and to offer an online tribute, see www.atkinsnorthlandfuneralhome.com