Joe Searight

Joe Donald Searight, Jr., 76, passed away January 16, 2013, at Iowa Methodist Medical Center after a long struggle with COPD. He was born March 22, 1936, in Kansas City, Missouri, and grew up in Wichita, Kansas. He attended Kemper Military Academy and graduated from Wichita High School East. He lived and worked in many states as a Combined Insurance Agent for many years. During this time he made many life-long friends. He moved to Des Moines in 1985, was a partner in JBJ Associates, Inc., and later became employed by Sears, Citigroup, and Wells Fargo, until health problems prevented his continued employment.

Joe loved to travel, was interested in everything, and especially loved Jazz music and going to Jazz Festivals where he met many more friends and musicians. His knowledge of Jazz and Jazz artists was unbelievable; he could even tell you what year a certain song became popular and the artist or band who recorded it. He gladly shared all this knowledge with all his music-loving friends. He was an eternal optimist and his love of life and friendships was evidenced in his sharing experiences and stories and his infectious laugh. He was definitely a “people person” and loved to keep in touch with them by phone and email.

Joe was preceded in death by his parents, Joe Donald Searight, Sr., and Audley C. (Johnston) Searight; his older sister, Eleanor Thompson; and his brother-in-law, Frank Thompson. He will be missed by numerous co-workers and Jazz friends, as well as his loving companion of 26 years, Joan Frerichs, his two sons, Joe D. Goldsmith of Poughkeepsie, New York, and Jim Goldsmith of Colorado, and his good friend, Cody Dolinfek.

A memorial visitation will be held from 2:30 to 4:30 p.m., Saturday, January 19, 2013, at Hamilton’s Funeral Home, 605 Lyon Street. A private burial will be held at a later date.

Memorial contributions may be made to the American Cancer Society or the Animal Rescue League.

Joe's family wishes to gratefully acknowledge the excellent care he received from the Staff at Powell 5, Yonkers 8, and the ICU at Iowa Methodist Medical Center.

Condolences may be expressed at:
www.HamiltonsFuneralHome.com

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