Col. (ret.) James R. Gregoire, MD

Colonel (ret. USA) Dr. James Robert Gregoire, MD passed away in Jacksonville Florida after a sudden battle with cancer. He was surrounded by his family and co-workers.

Jim was born in 1960 in Pontiac Michigan but from 3 months onwards he was a son of Minnesota. Raised by Dr. Earl Gregoire, an OBGYN at Bemidji Community Hospital, and Donna Sandgren, a physical education and English teacher. He was the middle child between Annette and David. Jim loved growing up in Bemidji where he found great community and explored the boundary waters. He was an Eagle Scout, which was a passion he maintained throughout his life. He travelled to Farragut State Park in 1973 for the National Jamboree and worked at the Charles Sumner Scout Camp in Ely, MN, and later as a troop leader he went to many summer camps, Philmont Scout Ranch, and Sea Base in The Bahamas.

After high school, he stayed in Minnesota to attend Gustavus Adolphus College in St. Peter where he graduated Summa Cum Laude studying chemistry and German. He spent his summers returning to northern Minnesota to be a guide in the Boundary Waters. He moved near by to Rochester to complete his medical school, residency, and fellowship at the Mayo Clinic. He remained on staff for 33 years.

During his dermatology rotation in medical school he met Sheila Jowsey (1983). After just six weeks, James knew she was the one and proposed. They were married in Calgary. Sheila joined Mayo for her residency and they remained in Rochester for the 38 years. Filling a home with many dogs including Cinnamon, Ranger, Watson, and Pepper. He had three children: Phillip (born 1988), Bruce (1991), Rosemarie (1994), and one infant grandson, Felix, who he met just weeks before his passing. He instilled with them a love of the outdoors and devotion to life long learning. He was dedicated to Rochester Central Lutheran School where he was a boy scout troop leader and basketball couch.

During his medical training he joined the United States Army Reserves and served his country in the medical corps in Germany during the Bosnian War. He remained in the Reserves for 21 years achieving the rank of Colonel. He was a deeply patriotic individual and, but for his children, he considered his service to be his greatest accomplishment.

He was a beloved teacher in the Mayo Medical School where he was awarded teacher of year multiple times. He deeply enjoyed teaching medical students, residents, and fellows. A cherished family memory was Jim sitting at the kitchen table memorizing the names and faces of the medical students before the first day of class so that he could greet them by their name. He was known throughout the campus for breaking into song while explaining the nuances of sodium management. It would have filled him with great pleasure to know that people he trained took care of him when he became ill, and that they were there with him at the very end.

He had a strong Christian faith and grew up in the Lutheran Church, attended the Evangel United Methodist Church in Rochester Minnesota for many years where he was a greeter often seen at all three services on Sunday. Following his move to Jacksonville, he attended both Isle of Faith Methodist Church and Bethlehem Lutheran Church and joined the men's’ group at both churches. He read his Bible regularly and had a deep understanding of the New Testament.

Throughout his life Jim charted an honest life where he did the things about which he cared. Whether it was sleeping outside in -20F in the Boundary Waters by himself year after year, driving to all the Minnesota State Parks to review them and then going back to the ones he did not like to see if they had improved, or driving the length of the Lewis and Clark expedition to retrace their adventure. He was singular force of nature who made an impression on those who met him. His was beloved by many and that love was seen as they came to be with him at the final moment to say a kind word to him.

He leaves behind his wife, his three children and their partners, two siblings and their partners, a nephew and niece, one grandchild, innumerable students and trainees, and his two dogs Cocoa and Mocha. He is now paddling his canoe towards his heavenly reward where he will share a campsite by the calm northern waters surrounded by his parents, his family, and his dogs as they share a hot chocolate and a cast-iron pie.

A Celebration of Life will be held in James' honor at 11:00 a.m., Saturday, October 11, 2025 in Bethlehem Lutheran Church, 1423 8th Ave N, Jacksonville Beach, FL 32250. The details for a ceremony to be held in Minnesota are forthcoming.

The family requests that memorial gifts be designated to the James R. Gregoire Scholarship Fund at Mayo Clinic. Gifts can be mailed directly to Mayo Clinic, Department of Development, 200 First Street SW, Rochester, MN 55905 or can be made online at mayoclinic.org/give.