James Potter

James H. (Jim) Potter, age 65 years, of Union Center, died on Tuesday, June 16, 2009 at the St. Joseph’s Memorial Hospital in Hillsboro, Wisconsin.

He was born in Elgin, Illinois on August 9, 1943 to Charles and Ellen (Kahler) Potter.  Most of his growing years were spent on a farm in Kahler Valley outside of Hillsboro and in the City.  Jim excelled in sports at Hillsboro High School graduating in 1961.  He completed his Bachelor work at UW-LaCrosse in 1965 and taught Physical Education in Mayville, WI until injury altered his life in May, 1966.  As a functional paraplegic, living in a wheelchair from morning until night due to paralysis from spinal cord injury, he completed his MS degree in Recreation Therapy at the University of Illinois and worked in that field until retirement due to heart problems in 1994.

Jim was married in 1971 to JoAnn Godec Furrh and that union was dissolved when she had to go to a Nursing home for care due to her multiple sclerosis in 1977.  In 1980, Jim married Althea Mickelson Dwire and they were together until 1991.

Two major accomplishments in his life were 1) His role in the removal of architectural barriers on the Iowa City campus of the University of Iowa, and 2) The completion and publication of his book, Two Lives:One Autobiography.  Of these, he was quite proud.

Survivors include his sister, Shirley (Ray) Manguilli, Wonewoc; his brother, Donald C. (Mary) Potter, Hillsboro; his two former wives; one step-son, Tom Furrh, Oceanside, California; step-daughters, Amy Chaffin and Sharon Chaffin, New Mexico; five step-grandchildren; and one step-great grandson.  He is also survived by one aunt, Nina Reynolds, Hillsboro; five nieces, four nephews, and many other relatives and friends.  He was preceded in death by his Parents.