James Raymond Bigard

James Raymond Bigard, age 82, of Mt. Pleasant passed away peacefully into the arms of his heavenly Father and to be reunited with his wife, Lucille, on Sunday, September 16, 2012.
A Mass of Christian Burial for Jim will be held at Sacred Heart Catholic Church on Thursday, September 20 at 11 a.m. with Fr. Loren Kalinowski officiating. Interment will follow in the Calvary Cemetery. The family will receive friends at Clark Family Funeral Chapel on Tuesday, September 18 from 7 to 9 p.m. and on Wednesday, September 19 from 2 to 5 and 7 to 9 p.m. with a prayer service being held at 7:30 p.m. Visitation will continue at the church on Thursday, September 20 from 10 a.m. until the time of service. Memorial contributions may be made to the Sacred Heart Foundation, Michigan Parkinson Foundation, Isabella County Commission on Aging or to Make-A-Wish Foundation of Michigan. Envelopes will be available at the funeral chapel and during services at the church.
Jim was born on January 5, 1930 in Newton, IL, the son of Louis and Cecelia (Nix) Bigard. Jim met his future wife, Lucille, when they were both employed by Calvert Eastern Drilling Company. They were married on November 30, 1950, at St. Joseph Catholic Church in Olney, IL and spent 56 years together before Lucille's passing in 2007.
...Jim's fascination with the oil industry started at the age of 15 when he got his first job as a roughneck on an oil drilling rig. With his hard work ethic Jim quickly moved up to a drilling position by the age of 20 and a tool pusher by age 24 for Calvert Eastern Drilling Company. Just prior to the formation of his company, Bigard was vice-president and superintendent for Calvert and it was there he learned many of the skills it would take to run his own company. Jim founded James Bigard Drilling Company on January 2, 1972, and grew it to be one of the largest and most respected oil and gas drilling contractors in the Northeastern United States as well as one of the largest employers in Central Michigan in the 1970's and 80's. Jim's innovative abilities to improve efficiency in the drilling industry helped build his reputation. Jim was proud of his business, his employees, and the equipment that he worked with. He was known across the country by his many customers for his honesty, quick wit, integrity and his can-do, "get the job done" attitude. Jim loved to garden stating "It's a good change to dig in the dirt with your hands rather than with a drilling rig". He also enjoyed travel, and above all, spending time with his family, especially his grandchildren and great grandchildren. He was a true Gentlemen's gentleman and never forgot where he came from. He was appreciative of all the help he was given in life and in turn found joy in helping others fulfill their dreams. He will be sadly missed by his family and friends. Jim was on the board of directors for Isabella Bank & Trust for 17 years, the board of directors for Michigan Oil & Gas Association for over 25 years, an honorary member of the Sigma Iota Epsilon Fraternity at Central Michigan University as well as the President's Club at CMU. Jim was a member of Sacred Heart Parish in Mt. Pleasant.
Jim is survived by his children, Allen (Gail) Bigard of Allardt, TN, Steve (Virgie) Bigard of Mt. Pleasant, Bruce (Amanda) Bigard of Shepherd, Jeana (Rick) Falsetta, John (Jean) Bigard and Paul (Michelle) Bigard, all of Mt. Pleasant; grandchildren, Karen and Brian Bigard, Ashley (fiance' Adam Gaertner), Michael (Daniell) Bigard, Sean (Kimberly) Bigard, Ryan (Kari) Bigard, Collen (Desiree) Bigard, Hillary Halfmann, Courtney Halfmann, James Bigard, Rick, Fallon, and Samantha Falsetta, Daniel , Elizabeth, Emily, and Jakob Bigard, and Brooklyn and Laura Bigard; great-grandchildren, Makayla, Jackson, Matthew Jackson, Dani Bennett, Jordan, Max, Riley and Emma Bigard; sisters, Georgiana Schackmann, Yvonne (Steve) Winters, Marilyn (Leonard) Lehrer, and Shirley Ackeret; 4 sisters-in-law, Edna (Don) Brian, Ruth Rzeppa, Delores Francis and Freda (Dick) Miller and 3 brothers-in-law, Paul (Avanell) Herman, George (Sheila) Herman, and Frank (Janet) Herman and many nieces and nephews.
...Jim was preceded in death by his wife, Lucille, and parents, Louis and Cecelia Bigard, brothers, Florent "Joe" Bigard and Robert Bigard, sisters Norma LaCava and Janet Varga and father & mother-in-law, Otto and Elizabeth Herman.
Jim's family would like to thank all the personnel at the Medical Care Facility for their loving care and support for the past 10 months. He treasured his friendships new and old! You may view Jim's obituary online and send a condolence to the family, light a memorial candle, or place a memorial donation at
www.clarkfuneralchapel.com