James Orris Latturner, ’62, 1938 - 2022

James Orris Latturner

Chicago Tribune

James Orris Latturner was born on March 9, 1938, in Chicago. The second child and second son of Ora Lavier Jerman and Percy Latturner. He had an older brother, George Jerman Latturner. He was raised on the north side of Chicago. He went to Pierce Elementary School, North Park Academy, Miami University of Ohio, where he earned a Bachelor's Degree in Business, and the University of Chicago Law School, graduating in 1962. He worked for the First National Bank of Chicago his first year out of law school, then joined Berchem, Scwantes & Thuma first as an associate then became a partner. In 1969 he went to work for The Legal Assistance Foundation of Chicago (now Legal Aid Chicago). First as a neighborhood supervisor, then as a Deputy Director. His twenty-five year career with LAF included arguing two cases in front of the U.S. Supreme Court. In 1995 he left LAF and joined a firm that became Edelman, Combs, Latturner & Goodwin, LLC. He was a partner until his retirement in August 2020. He led a very full and active life with many hobbies and interests including bird watching, playing bridge, photography, history buff (particularly Civil War history), music (even though he was tone deaf), avid reader and genealogist. He was most well known for being a passionate world traveler. His travels took him to all fifty states, all seven continents and over 110 countries. He loved planning trips and putting together his own travel guides which came to be known as Latturner Guides. He passed away on August 30, 2022. He was preceded in death by his parents and brother. He is survived by his wife, Cathleen Combs; daughter, Catherine Latturner; son Eric Latturner; step-daughters Sara (T.J. Sparandara) Cohen and Rebecca (Johanna Russ) Cohen; granddaughters Aili Sparandara, and Iris Cohen-Russ and Flora Cohen-Russ; sisters-in-law Marilyn (Steve) Lange and Nancy Combs; nieces, Sharon (Gary) Hallman and Susan Latturner; nephews Thomas Lange and Michael Lange; and many friends. A Memorial Service will be held on Saturday, September 24, 2022 at 3:00 pm at University Church in Hyde Park at 5655 S. University Ave. In lieu of flowers donations can be made to Legal Aid Chicago.