James Thomas Mathis, Sr.

James Thomas Mathis, Sr. passed away on December 5, 2014. He was born August 2, 1942 in Des Moines, Iowa, the son of James William Mathis, Jr. and Izetta (Marshall) Mathis. He married Cheryl Cathell on Christmas Day, 1963 and was proud to share his life with her. Although he had been ailing for several months, his family was fortunate to spend precious time with him in the days preceding his death.

Jim spent much of his life working in advertising, creating memorable marketing campaigns for a variety of clients including Winnebago Industries, Equitable of Iowa and many others. He started his career as a graphic designer and later worked as an art director, account executive, and animation producer. In 2002 he retired from The Image Mill, a creative consortium of illustrators, animators, designers and broadcast producers that he had founded.

He enjoyed hunting and shooting sports as well as sailing and spent many days on the water in Lakewood, just south of Des Moines. He is remembered as a loving husband, father, and mentor. He was preceded in death by both of his parents, his only sibling, Mary Ann Lint, and his cousin Bob Reid with whom he was very close. He is survived by Cheryl, his loving wife of nearly 51 years; and his children Kevin (Nancy) of Muscatine, Iowa, James Jr. (Kara) of Sioux Falls, South Dakota and Cristina of Urbandale, Iowa as well as two grandchildren, David and Michelle, both from Muscatine. A memorial service will be held on Thursday, December 11 at 3:00 PM at Hamilton’s on Westown Parkway, 3601 Westown Parkway in West Des Moines. The family will be present for visitation beginning at 2:00 PM prior to the service.

The family would like to thank Norwalk Nursing and Rehabilitation and St. Jude Hospice for their outstanding care and compassion in the last months of his life. In lieu of flowers, the family requests that memorials be directed to the Des Moines Area Religious Council (DMARC) Food Pantry, 1435 Mulberry, Des Moines, IA 50309 or MoveTheFood.org. Condolences may be expressed at www.HamiltonsFuneralHome.com.

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