Dr. James K. O'Toole

Dr. James K. O'Toole, 80, died at St. Benedict Senior Community in St. Cloud, MN on July 21, 2008 after a courageous battle with Multiple Myeloma.

James was born April 6, 1928 to Robert F. and Margaret (DeSautel) O'Toole in Grafton, ND. He graduated from Crystal High School in Crystal, ND in 1946 and North Dakota State University in 1950 with a BS in Chemical Technology. He attended the University of North Dakota School of Medicine in Grand Forks from 1950 to 1952 and received his Doctorate in Medicine from Stritch School of Medicine of Loyola University in Chicago in 1954. He did his medical internship and residency at St. Luke's Hospital in Fargo until 1956. He began his private medical practice in Park River, ND from 1956 to 1962. He continued his medical training at Menninger School of Psychiatry from 1962 to 1965 and also was employed by the Topeka State Hospital. He had a fellowship at Menninger Foundation from 1965 to 1966 in Community Psychiatry.

He married Georgine L. Cavegn in September 1952 and had five children.

He was a Psychiatric Consultant to the North Dakota Board of Public Welfare and Director/Medical Director of the Memorial Mental Health and Retardation Center Bismarck/Mandan from 1969 to 1975. He was the Associate Medical Director of Prairie View Mental Health Center in Newton, KS from 1975 to 1984 and a Clinical Associate Professor with Kansas University School of Medicine, Wichita, KS from 1976 to 1984. From 1984 to 1988 he was the Superintendent of the Central State Hospital in Norman, OK. Following a desire to move closer to family, he finished his career as a Staff Psychiatrist at the Fergus Falls Regional Treatment Center, in Fergus Falls, MN and in private practice consultation.

James was a delegate to the North Dakota Constitutional Convention in 1971-72 and was on the North Dakota Parole Board from 1966 to 1973. He was a member of the American Medical and Psychiatric Associations, a former Grand Knight of the Knights of Columbus, and a life-long member of Elks. He had a number of published papers including: "Mourning of a President" in the 1966 Psychiatric Quarterly and was on the Joint Commission on Accreditations of Hospitals.

He enjoyed gardening, bird watching, and crossword puzzles. He was skilled in woodworking having made many beautiful pieces of furniture for his children and grandchildren. He spent much time studying his family genealogy and published a history of the O'Toole family. He loved the company of his family and friends at home and at their lake cabin.

He is survived by his spouse Georgine O'Toole of St. Cloud, MN; his daughters Patty O'Toole of Grafton, ND; Peggy (John) O'Toole-Martin of Rochester, MN; Bobbie (Calvin) O'Toole-Beasley, Knoxville, TN; and Erin (Steve) O'Toole-Tomzcik of St. Cloud, MN; and a son James (Carrie) O'Toole of Mayetta, KS; three brothers, Lawrence (Shirley) O'Toole, Crystal, ND; Patrick (Clementine) O'Toole, Crystal, ND; and Robert (Judy) O'Toole, Grafton, ND; and one sister Kathleen (Cornelius) Whalen, Grand Forks, ND. He is also survived by his 11 grandchildren: Allison, Kateri, Christopher, Sean, Kavan, Patrick, Lara, Meg, Kelly, Zachary, Katherine and great-grandson Daryon.

James was preceded in death by both of his parents and his sister, Elizabeth Todd.

Visitation will be from 5-7:00 PM, Thursday, July 24, 2008 with a prayer service at 7:00 at the Tollefson Funeral Home in Grafton, ND. A Mass of Christian burial will be held at St. Patrick Parish, Crystal, ND on Friday, July 25, 2008 at 1:00 PM. Burial will be at St. Patrick's Cemetery in Crystal, ND.

Memorials are suggested to Volunteer Services Grafton Developmental Center, Knights of Columbus, or the Multiple Myeloma Research Foundation.

The Tollefson Funeral Home of Grafton is in charge of the arrangements.

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