Jim King

January 30, 1931 - May 9, 2022

James King Jefferson, IA Date of Death: May 9, 2022 Memorial services for James “Jim” King, 91, of Jefferson, will be held at 11:00am Friday, May 13, 2022 at First United Methodist Church, Jefferson, Iowa. The family will visit with friends Friday, May 13, 2022 from 9:30am – 10:45am at First United Methodist Church, prior to the memorial service. For those who cannot attend, the funeral service will be live streamed. Live streaming will begin a few minutes prior to the start of the service. You do not need a pass word. Click the link below to connect to the Slininger-Schroeder Face Book page. https://www.facebook.com/SliningerSchroederFuneralHome/?view_public_for=105863521139107 James Wilbur King was born Jan 30, 1931, in Centerville, Iowa, to Wilbur and Donna King. He grew up the middle of 9 children. Jim started school at 4 years old, and graduated from Centerville High School in 1948. He promptly enlisted in the United States Air Force and served for 46 months. He enrolled at Iowa State Teachers College (now University of Northern Iowa) in 1953 and graduated with honors in 1956, receiving the Bachelor of Arts with a major in biological science, a minor in history, and having received departmental honors in science. In 1956 he was admitted to Garrett Biblical Institute, part of Northwestern University in Evanston, IL. He was awarded the degree of Bachelor of Divinity in 1961. He completed his Doctorate of Ministry in 1983 from Wartburg Theological Seminary in Dubuque, Iowa. In 1951, Jim married Leona Greenwood. They had 4 children together prior to her death in 1961 – Dorie, Deb, Rocky, and Karen. He married Kathryn Moore of Bagley, Iowa in November of 1963, and a daughter, Shari, joined the family in 1969. These unions have resulted in 12 grandchildren and 14 great-grandchildren (so far). Jim served as a United Methodist pastor for 42 years with the Iowa Conference. He started with student charges in Donnellson, IA, and Harding, IL, while in seminary. He was ordained in October 1961. His pastoral appointments were: 1961-1968 Bagley-Greenbrier-Jamaica 1968-1972 Fremont-Cedar-Kirkville 1972-1979 Corning Parish 1979-1985 District Superintendent of the Ottumwa District 1985-1990 Atlantic 1990-1993 First United Methodist Church, Des Moines 1993-1998 Nevada After retirement in 1998, Jim and his wife Kathy moved to rural Bagley, then to Jefferson, IA. They spent 11 winters working with Nomads on a Mission Acting in Divine Service (NOMADS), providing volunteer labor for United Methodist organizations across the USA. Projects included new construction, remodeling, and repairs for churches, homes, camps, and colleges. He enjoyed golf, fishing, following his kids’ and grandkids’ activities, and read voraciously. Travel was also a joy and he was committed to having a family vacation annually. And then, there was his singing! Any congregant knew that robust singing was not only encouraged, but expected. Jim is survived by his wife, Kathy, and his 5 children: Dorie Womacks of Montrose, CO; Deb Roberts (Jeff) of Corning, IA; Rocky (Tania) of League City, TX; Karen Marsh (Rob) of Clarinda; and Shari King (Jim Reidy) of Marshalltown, IA, as well as 2 sisters, Julia (David) White of Moraga, CA, and Ann McDowell of Henderson, NV. He was preceded in death by his parents, siblings Jeanne Koestner, Gerry Ladendorf, Mary Pickering, Betty Glenn, Joe King, and Nancy Elliott; and grandson Sean Ervin. Memorial contributions may be made to Global Ministries/United Methodist Committee of Relief (UMCOR), PO Box 9068, New York, NY 10087-9068; Hospice of the Midwest, 103 N 4th St., Guthrie Center, IA 50115; The Lakeside Village, 2067 Hwy 4, Panora, IA 50216. Services were arranged by Slininger-Schroeder Funeral Home, Jefferson.