James Robert Hoepker
February 02, 2014
James Robert Hoepker, 63, went home to Jesus on February 2, 2014, at Mercy Hospice in Johnston. Services will be held at Hamilton’s at 3601 Westown Parkway in West Des Moines, Iowa. Visitors will be greeted on Thursday, February 6, from 5 to 8 p.m., and the memorial service will be on Friday, February 7, at 12 p.m. Burial will be at Highland Memory Gardens.
Jim was born in Creston, Iowa, on March 7, 1950, to Elton and Evelyn (Eivins) Hoepker. He grew up in rural Orient, Iowa, and attended Orient-Macksburg High School. In 1973, Jim graduated from Northwest Missouri State University with a Bachelors degree in Marketing and Management.
After college, Jim worked for Massey Ferguson in Des Moines for seventeen years as a Marketing Representative. When Massey Ferguson left Des Moines, Jim went to work for Universal Cooperatives in Minneapolis as a Distribution Manager for three years. Returning to the Des Moines area, he took a job with Bridgestone/Firestone as a Tire Inspector, where he worked for sixteen years.
On May 9, 1987, Jim was united in marriage to Cynthia (Viers) at the Church of the Land at Living History Farms. They had a daughter, Jessica, three years later. Jim retired in April 2010 after being diagnosed with ALS (Lou Gehrig’s disease).
Jim especially loved spending time with his family and friends. Jim was a born-again Christian who enjoyed volunteering at Point of Grace Church in Waukee and meeting with his bible study group. In his spare time, Jim enjoyed biking on the local trails and supporting the Iowa State Cyclones. He was a part-time farmer and really loved the peace and quiet that the farm provided. One of Jim’s favorite hobbies was collecting and restoring toy and full-sized tractors. He was an avid supporter of the ALS Association of Iowa and attended the ALS support groups. Jim was motivated and inspired by meeting other families affected by this terrible disease. The ALS Association and the supportive staff were a great help to Jim and his family.
Jim is survived by his wife of 26 years, Cindy; daughters, Jessie and Shannon (Brad) Terry; siblings, Keith (Jane White), Dale, and Gary Hoepker, Carolyn (Jim) Collins and Joan (Doug) Brunell; and grandsons, Nicolas and Mason Terry. Jim was preceded in death by his parents, Elton and Evelyn, and his sister, Catherine.
Jim was a gentle, hard-working man who cared deeply for his family and friends. He will be greatly missed by all who knew him. Memorial contributions can be made to the ALS Association of Iowa, 900 Mulberry Street, Suite 204, Des Moines, IA 50309, or Mercy Hospice-Johnston, 5820 Winwood Drive, Johnston, IA 50131. The family wishes to thank everyone for all of their kindness, love, support, and prayers, with special thanks to the many care providers, the ALS Association, and the Mercy Hospice staff in Johnston for their tender loving care.
Online condolences may be expressed at www.HamiltonsFuneralHome.com.
Dominic Tucci
03/12/2014
I attended college with Jim & also worked with him at Massy Ferguson.
My sincere sympathy to Jim's wife Cindy & family.
Jim & I had many fun times together & he always will be in my prayers.
Linda Francisco
03/11/2014
I am so saddened to hear of your loss. Such a kind gentle men.
Linda Richman
02/14/2014
I worked with Jim at Massey Ferguson and have been out of town for the winter and just heard that Jim passed away. I just want to express my sincere sympathy to Cindy and Jim's whole family. He was such a kind and fun person and will be truly missed.
Beveerly Magnani
02/07/2014
Dear Cindy & Family
My thoughts are with you and I am so happy to have met you and Jim;
Mother of Cindy Miner
Pam Harris
02/07/2014
Dearest Cindy and Family, I am so sorry about your loss. While Jim was ill you were his Angel watching over him and caring for his needs in the forever loving ways. Now, Jim is your guardian Angel forever watching over you and your girls and grandchildren. He will be forever by your side, guiding and protecting you. May God Bless you Cindy and your family. With love and friendship Always Pam
Linda & Curis Salyer
02/07/2014
Darling Friend and Sweet Lover of the Lord ~Peace, Light and Love to you ~ Cindy and the girls as you transition through this loss, the Love of your Life. Jim was such a bright Light to be snuffed out so early in life, God Rest his Soul as Pain is no Longer his demon.
There are so many happy memories of our times together, the Laughter and silly things we shared. Cindy, you were and are his Anchor, the one thing he knew who could rock like a ship through the storms against the shoreline. unscathed because of your neverending faith and Love in the Lord. YOUR Strength carried him to the final Wave. where he could finally say Good-bye with confidence you would be ok.
I have never known such a Beautiful, confident, organized, strong headed woman as you are! I'm proud and Blessed to have you as my Sweet, and Loving Forever Friend. Take Comfort that he is able to do so many things he hasn't be able to do for so long. He is Dancing in "your Light, the light of Rainbows, ready to do the Lord's work.When you are Ready. YOU DO the SAME! I Love you Cindy, Shannon, & Jessie ~ Much Aloha always, Linda & Curtis
Dennis Lauer
02/06/2014
I have known Jim and his family nearly all of his life.He always had a smile and aways had time to visit.He will truely be missed.
Bob Wells
02/05/2014
Dear Family,
Had the privilege of working with Jim at Massey Ferguson. I remember him as a real gentleman and neat person. You are all in our prayers that you will receive comfort from our Lord.
God Bless!
1st Peter 1:3-9
Ruth Avazian
02/05/2014
So sorry to hear about Jim passing away. He had such a kind heart and soul. He will be missed greatly.
Roy Shafer
02/05/2014
I worked some with Jim at Massey Ferguson. Always enjoyed his friendly smile and gentle way of getting along with everyone. Enjoyed talking Cyclone sports with him too. Also on vacation one time I ran into Jim and his family at Silver Dollar City in Branson, MO. Sorry for your loss...just a neat guy.
Dale and Carol Plathe
02/05/2014
So sorry for your loss. We love the picture of Jim on his bike and so glad he could ride as long as he did, never long enough. God bless!
John and shirkey and Dylan Larsen
02/04/2014
Dear Cyndy and Jessie
God bless you and all of Jim's family and loved ones. We believe he sleeps in the arms of the Angels. God bless.
Dan and Betty Mills, Bill and Jeanie Saylor
02/04/2014
Our deepest sympathy to all the family. My brother Bill Saylor and I attended Orient Macksburg schools with James. He was a very nice person.
2 Corinthians 1:3-4 "Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the father of mercies and the God of all comfort, Who comforts us in all our tribulation..... with which we ourselves are comforted of God". We will be praying for you all at this time.
Kristin Hoepker
02/04/2014
Such a great guy! He will be missed! Anytime I seen Jim he alway had a smile on his face & was so kind! Thinking of the rest of the family at this sad time! Take care!
Bob Bobolz
02/04/2014
Jim, it was a pleasure to get to know you. We spent many great Saturday's at the Jim and Jim tailgate getting ready to cheer on the Cyclones. I have never met a more nice and caring person than you. Now your pain and suffering is gone. It will be a pleasure to see you again someday. Cheer on those Cyclones from the heavens above!