James Richard Acord

Obituary

James Richard Acord

May 19, 1938- February 21, 2023

James Richard Acord, 84, passed away on February 21, 2023, at St. Vincent Healthcare in Billings Montana. Jim was born on May 19, 1938 in Fond du Lac, Wisconsin to Lloyd and Mary (Igreas) Acord.

His childhood backyard had a river running nearby, within 300 yards. As a young boy, he fished there and also hunted squirrels and rabbits. He lost his father at age ten which caused him to grow up quickly. He helped his mother with the family business, Acord Fuel & Coal, in Fond du Lac.

He served his country as a member of the United States Navy from 1956-1959 as a pipe fitter, welder and machinist on the big ships/cruisers and destroyers in California and the Great Lakes area.

He married JoAnne Rose Reinhart on April 27, 1963. To this union, two children were born, Jeff and Jodi.

In 1976, Jim found his way to Worland, where he fell in love with the fishing and hunting opportunities Wyoming had to offer. As an owner/operator of his own trucking company, he found the area fit the needs of his family and made Worland his forever home.

Jimmy held numerous jobs over the years: welder, machinist, but his true love was being a truck driver exploring the United States. Jimmy was very proud of the awards he received while driving truck. His most proud accomplishment was a safety award given at a national level, "1 million miles, driven without any accident."

Throughout his life, James "Jimmy" enjoyed and loved the outdoor life, quiet mornings on the lake and the louder afternoons of shooting. His ethics were to work hard and play harder. If he was not fishing, you could find him shooting rifles or shotguns. In 1990's-2007, he became a two-time National Sporting Clays Champion. He also won numerous other awards for sporting clays and trap shooting. He was an avid elk and mule deer hunter as well.

Jim was always looking to catch a big Walleye! With all the fishing he did, the locals started calling him "Fish". This made him chuckle so much that he had the license plate for his truck reflect the nickname.

He was a loving husband, father, grandfather and great-grandfather. Through his children, there was a special bond with the Cheeney family of Ten Sleep.

Jim was preceded in death by his parents, wife, JoAnne, and sister, Geraldine aka "Sis".

Survivors include his children, Jeffery J. Acord of Worland, Jodi (Clinton) Cheeney of Buffalo, Wyoming; grandchildren, Sarah, Samantha and Coyer; great-grandchildren, Tyson, Emry and Leo.

Funeral services will be held 11:00 AM Friday, March 3, 2023 at the Worland Community Center Complex (1200 Culbertson Avenue). A burial service will follow at Riverview Memorial Gardens Cemetery. Military Honors will be provided by the United States Navy and American Legion Post #44. Memorial donations may be made to Washakie County 4-H Shooting Sports and sent to PO Box 524, Worland, WY 82401. Online condolences may be made at www.bryantfuneralhomeonline.com.