Meet “JLA”

This is my dad, Dr. James Algiers, and the writer of the “Letters to Louie.” He went by many names throughout his life - Jimmy, Jim, Doc, and by his kids, JLA (for James Leonard Algiers). Regardless of what name he was called, he was known for his lifelong commitment to helping others. He definitely left the world a better place for all of the lives he touched.

His story began in 1926 in Hartford, Wisconsin, a small midwestern town. He was the oldest of six, and his parents were hard working, good people. They raised their children to be honest and hard working, and to always look for ways to help others. As my dad said, “There wasn’t a dud in the bunch. We all turned out pretty darn well.”

The story of my dad’s life unfolds in his writing. His childhood had its fair share of challenges - his family was hit by not one but two of the great illnesses of our history - tuberculosis (his mom, grandma, and brother) and polio (his brother). These illnesses had a profound impact on his childhood (you’ll hear how in the letters) and shaped the adult and physician he’d become. After spending his formative years studying and helping his family as much as he could, he served in the Navy in WWII.

Thanks to the GI Bill and the hard work of my mom during their early years of marriage, he was able to go to medical school at Marquette University. He become a physician and practiced in his hometown. He and my mom raised five children. Both my dad and mom dedicated their lives to giving back to their community and for ways to give back and mankind in general, and left an impression on everyone they encountered. When my dad left this world on May 28, 2020, the world was a better place because he’d been here.

If you’re looking for inspiration and meaning, you’re in the right place.