James Henrichsen, 68, El Lago, TX passed away January 23 from Parkinson’s and dementia.

Jim grew up in Pierre, SD where he loved riding his dirt bike around the area and swimming in the river with his dog, Gus.  After graduating from Pierre Riggs High School in 1976, he attended Mitchell Vocational Technical College and graduated with a degree in Electrical and A/C refrigeration.  After working several years as an electrician in Nebraska and Rapid City, he returned to college and graduated from SDSM&T in May 1988 with a B.S. degree in Electrical Engineering.

Jim married Vickie Colvin on September 5, 1987, in Rapid City.  After graduating from SDSM&T the couple moved to Seabrook, Texas where Jim began work as an Electrical Engineer with Amoco Chemical. While with Amoco, he designed and oversaw the construction of multi-billion-dollar oil and gas refinery projects in North Dakota, Alabama and Texas

Jim worked for Kellogg Brown and Root as an electrician in 2005.  He was based at Bagram Air Base, Afghanistan but was often assigned to the forward operating bases (frontlines).  Though the locations were stressful, he enjoyed the friendships he developed with the Special Forces teams.

Jim is survived by his wife, Vickie, son, Nicholas, (both of El Lago, TX) daughter Holly, (Austin, TX) sister, Donene Frey (Huron, SD) and several cousins, nieces, and nephews.  He is preceded in death by his father Don, mother, Irene (Williams), sister, Arlyce Badge and brother, Don.  Jim can now be at peace with the cats he called his “orange boy’s”, Tigger, Socks and Cooper.

No service is currently planned.