Jim B. Legg

This obituary was lovingly submitted by the Family of Jim B. Legg.

Jim B. Legg, age 69, passed away in Columbia, Maryland on April 24, 2024.

Born April 14, 1955 in Birmingham, Alabama, he was the son of Ralph Connell and Ellette (Guin) Legg.  He lived in Birmingham AL, Roswell GA, and Laurel and Severn, MD, working in the USDA Office of Inspector General until retiring in 2010.  Jim was a member and ordained elder of Oaklands Presbyterian Church in Laurel, where he taught Sunday School and served as church treasurer.

Jim was deeply committed to his family and friends; he often said that his happiest times were those he spent with his wife and son.  After his retirement, Friday morning coffee with friends from church and the community was a highlight of his week. Attending Murder Mystery Weekends in Boiling Springs was another favorite activity with friends.  He enjoyed cheering on his son’s lacrosse and football teams and supporting various scouting activities, including the Pinewood Derby, the annual food drive, and the Father-Son Cake Bake-Off (a contest they won handily year after year).

Jim had a scholarly side and read deeply in history and related subjects.  He had a sharp wit and was a force to be reckoned with in any trivia competition.  A lifelong and ardent cruciverbalist, he always knew the perfect (and precise) word for any occasion. As part of his 30-year career at USDA’s Office of Inspector General, Jim made significant contributions leading to improvements in the operations of numerous agricultural and nutrition programs.  Among other accomplishments, his work resulted in enhancements to nutrition programs for vulnerable people, various rural development initiatives, and federal food safety activities.

Jim is survived by his wife Rebecca Anne (Becky) Batts Legg; son Nathan Batts Ralph Legg; nephews Joseph Legg (Kami), John Legg (Karen), James Lawrence (Rachael), and Christopher Legg (Jessie); niece Mary Cowan (Daniel); grand-nephews and nieces Noah Legg, Eva Legg, Lizzie Legg, Khylei Legg, Avery Cowan, Renley Cowan, Saoirse Lawence, Aela Legg, and Shaye Legg; and sister-in-law Kay Jenkins Legg.  Jim was preceded in death by his parents Ralph and Ellette Legg and his brother, Joe Legg.

A Celebration of Jim's Life will be held at 2:00 pm on Saturday, November 16 at Oaklands Presbyterian Church, 14301 Laurel-Bowie Road, Laurel, MD 20708 with a reception following.  All are welcome.  The family will also be receiving visitors at the church beginning between 1:00 and 2:00 pm the same day.    Interment of ashes will occur at Somerset City Cemetery, Somerset, KY.

Jim was deeply dedicated to serving his community.  He spent many hours conversing with and assisting vulnerable people as he worked with the local food bank and winter housing programs.  He believed in the mission of Laurel Advocacy and Referral Services (LARS), a non-profit organization founded by a group of local religious leaders and community members who sought a consolidated approach to responding to those who came to their doors for food and financial help. In lieu of flowers or food, the family suggests that memorial contributions be made in honor of Jim Legg to Laurel Advocacy and Referral Services (LARS), 311 Laurel Ave., Laurel, MD 20707 or by clicking Here .

Jim and his family are especially grateful for the final five years of his life, made possible by the generous gift of an anonymous organ donor and the skilled medical team at Johns Hopkins.  Another excellent way to honor Jim’s memory is to register as an organ donor and pass on the gift of life.  Maryland residents can designate themselves as an organ, eye, or tissue donor by contacting https://register.donatelifemaryland.org . Information for residents of other states is located at https://www.organdonor.gov .

Laurel Advocacy & Referral Services
311 Laurel Avenue, Laurel MD 20707
Web: http://www.laureladvocacy.org

Donate Life Maryland
1730 Twin Springs Road, Suite 200, Baltimore MD 21227
Email: info@donatelifemaryland.org
Web: https://register.donatelifemaryland.org