James "Jim" S. Gerrard, 71, of Bisbee, ND passed away Tuesday, February 17, 2015 at his home in Bisbee. Funeral services will be on Saturday, February 21, 2015 at 2:00 p.m. at the Bisbee Lutheran Church with Pastor Bonnie Weaver officiating. Visitation will be held on Friday, February 20, 2015 from 5:00 to 7:00 p.m. with a 7:00 p.m. prayer service at the Bisbee Lutheran Church and for one hour prior to the services at the church on Saturday. Interment will be in the Bisbee Presbyterian Cemetery with military honors accorded by the Halling-Scobba Post #129, Bisbee American Legion and the North Dakota Military Funeral Honors Team. Casket bearers will be Terri Church, Troy Church, Kelly Bursinger, Maynard Jackson, Chase Mattern and Paul Johnson. Honorary bearers will be Andrew Gerrard, Bruce Gerrard, Charley Bursinger, Travis Bursinger and the Bisbee Fire Department. Music will be provided by Lori Kurtti.

James "Jim" was born December 6, 1943 in Cando, ND, the son of Americus "Max" and Johanna (Bolmer) Gerrard. He graduated from Bisbee High School in 1961. After high school, he served in the North Dakota Army National Guard in the 164th Engineer Battalion. He returned to Bisbee and farmed in the area and then began over a twenty year career with Towner County. Jim served as the chief of the Bisbee Fire Department for over fifty years and commander of the Halling-Scobba Post # 129, Bisbee American Legion for many years. He was an excellent cook and enjoyed deer hunting and doing various woodworking projects.

He is survived by his sons, Jamie Houle of Sioux Falls, SD, Joey Houle of Fargo, ND, Grandchildren, Casey, Ashley, Jori, Shelby and Savanna Houle, great-grandchildren, Noah James, Shay, Nells and Javial Houle, brothers, Andrew (Marlene) Gerrard of Houston, TX, Bruce (Sandra) Gerrard of Crary, ND and many nieces and nephews. Jim was preceded in death by his parents and three sisters, Joan Hadler, Margaret Torjeson and Betty Rinas.