Jaime Iragorri

Jaime Iragorri passed away into the loving arms of our Savior while surrounded by his family on Friday, September 5, 2008 in San Antonio. He was born on September 24, 1929 in Popay‡n, Colombia. After graduating from the Universidad de Cauca, in Colombia with unprecedented honors, Jaime began his Civil Engineering career building hydro-electric dams in the Amazon. Jaime and his young family came to the U.S. in 1957 and he became a pioneer in the Precast Concrete Industry. He founded North American Precast Company and was responsible for many of the innovations in the industry today. He built the tallest fully-precast building in North America, the 57 Building in Boston, MA as well as the renovation of Chicago's Landmark Navy Pier. He designed and built 17 different precast concrete manufacturing plants in his career, among them the largest in the western hemisphere. While living in New England, Jaime guest-lectured at Harvard and M.I.T. As a testament to his legacy, many of his former employees and protégés are now recognized as Titans of the precast industry, according to the Precast Concrete Institute. Jaime was a leader who inspired people through loyalty, ingenuity, and an intense work ethic. Proof of this inspiration lives not only in his list of accomplishments, but in the men and women who chose to follow him on his journey. He is counted as a father figure by many people he advised, guided, encouraged, supported, and prepared for their own successes. To use the word beloved is accurate, role-model appropriate, and hero most fitting. Devoted to his family and always concerned about the welfare of his employees, he always saw the potential in people. Another aspect of Jaime's life was his enjoyment of the San Antonio Spurs. Although he was a season ticket holder, he generously offered his seats to employees and friends. He also was an avid Soccer fan and attended numerous World Cup Soccer games. Jaime was a long time member of the Holy Spirit Catholic Church. His faith was quiet and strong. The stories of Jaime's generosity are too numerous to mention, but taken together, they reflect the love and grace of our Savior Jesus Christ. As his son, Alvaro stated, it was easy for me to accept Christ because my father showed me what unconditional love and forgiveness meant. He was preceded in death by son, Luis Carlos Iragorri. His family and friends mourn their loss, but celebrate his life and legacy, those include his wife, Minnie Iragorri; children, Ana Maria Iragorri, Maria Cristina Guerra and husband A.A., Alvaro Iragorri, Frank Mitchell and wife Noelia, Jaime Mitchell and wife Cathy; Nancy Iragorri, mother of Luis Carlos, Ana Maria, Maria Cristina and Alvaro; grandchildren; Matthew and wife Heather and Paige Herschell, Alex, Jordan, Gabriel Guerra, Kimberly Scheper, Riana, Delaney and Aubrey Iragorri, Belleza and Katalina Mitchell and Alejandro and Graciela Mitchell; great granddaughter, Mary Violet Herschell; half sister, Maria Claudia Iragorri; half brother, Rodrigo Iragorri; and numerous other family members in the U.S., Colombia and Europe. The family wishes to thank Vitas Hospice. MASS MONDAY SEPTEMBER 8, 2008 2:30 P.M. HOLY SPIRIT CATHOLIC CHURCH 758 W. RAMSEY In lieu of flowers, the family requests memorial contributions be made to the National Parkinson's www.parkinson.org or Vitas Hospice. Arrangements with Porter Loring Mortuary North.