James A Torrence

James Andrew Torrence, age 91, of Athens, Georgia, former resident of Addison, Illinois, passed away peacefully on March 23, 2022.  He was a 1953 graduate of Fournier Institute of Technology.  He served his country as an engineer at the Aberdeen Proving Grounds in Maryland. He married his long-time sweetheart Laverne Marie Pressley in 1954 and enjoyed 67 years of marriage.

Jim worked for Motorola as an engineer and held various executive positions, including being a vice-president of the company during his tenure.  After 33 years at Motorola, he “retired” to his machine shop where he designed and manufactured oddball parts for various industries, including Boeing, Mitsubishi, Cooper Tools, and Kremlin. His second “retirement” came at the young age of 85, when he hung up his shop coat to move to Georgia and spend time with family. Jim was on the board of directors for Gottlieb Memorial Hospital for 35 years as well as the Dupage Community High School District 88 for two terms.   Jim was passionate about his hobby, restoring Model A Fords, and was an active member in the local region and served on the board of directors for the Model A Restorer’s Club, an international club devoted to the preservation of Ford cars built between 1927-1931.

Jim had a major influence on those who loved him. Jim’s love of automobiles and technology was passed down to his children and grandchildren in both his basement shop and his garage. He was a giving man, helping his brother Dan pay for college to pursue a career in engineering just like he had done 20 years earlier. In his later years, his stories and warm nature made him popular with his grandchildren and great-grandchildren. Young or old, Jim always was encouraging those around him to follow their dreams and pursue their passions.

He is survived by his wife, Laverne, and his five children, Patricia (Thomas) Ware of Greensboro, GA, Robert (Cheryl) Torrence of Winterville, GA, Ronald (Diane) Torrence of Athens, Georgia, Sharon (James) Krause of Athens, GA, and Suzanne Torrence (Brian Myers) of Wildwood, IL.  James is also survived by five siblings: Thomas Torrence of Crestwood, IL, Anita Lynch of Richton Park, IL, Kathleen Barrett of Monticello, IN, Daniel Torrence of Frankfurt, IL, and Jean Biddle of Crest Hill, IL.  He was the proud grandfather of 14 and great-grandfather of 19, plus an uncle and great-uncle to more than he could count! He is preceded in death by his parents, Catherine Mueller and Walter Torrence, and three siblings, John Torrence, William Torrence, and Ramona Wilson.

A small memorial service will be held at Living Hope Church in Athens, GA, on Friday, April 1, 2022, at 11:00 a.m. A celebration of his life will be held later in the year in Illinois.

In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to a project that meant a lot to him, the restoration of a Model A bus that will be used at the Gilmore Car Museum to take passengers for rides around the museum grounds; please go to MAFFI.org , click on donations, and select “Bus Project.”

Lord & Stephens Funeral Homes, East, Athens, GA is in charge of arrangements. www.lordandstephens.com