James “Jim” T. Bayorgeon, age 91, died on June 8, 2026. He was born in Kaukauna on May 7, 1935, to the late Joseph and Lorraine (De Brue) Bayorgeon. Jim was honored to serve in the US Army JAG Corp, as an instructor at the University of Virginia Law School, following achieving his Juris Doctorate from Marquette University in 1958. Upon exiting the army, Jim returned to Appleton and became the first public defender in Appleton and was involved in private legal practice as well. He then spent many years on the Circuit Court Bench as a respected judge, a post he assumed in 1983 and then retiring in 2004. During his career, he had the distinction of presiding over many notable cases.

In 1983, he married Jeanne Collins and they shared 43 years together. Jim’s children absorbed Jeanne into their world, and they became a family. Jim was a vibrant man with many interests including wildflowers, birds and trout fishing. Jim was the font of identifying information for his family who would often send images of flowers and birds they saw in the wild.

He is survived by his wife Jeanne; his children Julie (Vince) Maro, Stephen (Fabiola) Bayorgeon, Timothy Hoch; grandchildren: Sasha, Ilya, Harrison, Hannah, Ben, Marissa. In addition, he is survived by his sister Judy Prange, brother-in-law Wayne Strand as well as the mother of his children: Mary Bayorgeon, and many other relatives, friends and colleagues.

He was preceded in death by his parents, his sister Bonnie Strand, and brother-in-law John Prange.

A time of gathering to honor Jim will take place on Monday June 22, 2025. Visitation will begin at 3:00pm with a brief time of sharing beginning at 5:00pm. Military honors will follow. In Jim’s honor, please be on time for the service-don’t be late! You know what his response would be.

In lieu of flowers, please consider a donation to the charity of your choice in Jim’s memory.