James Charles Reed

Jim Reed left this earthly plane to go home to be with his God on November 16, 2021, after struggling with dementia. Visitation will take place at 9 AM, 12/9/21 at Hamilton's on Westown Parkway, 3601 Westown Parkway, West Des Moines, Iowa 50266. Celebration of Life will follow visitation at 10 AM, with Military Rites at 2 PM at the Iowa Veterans Cemetery.

Jim was born July 9, 1932 in Des Moines Iowa, to Marie Halterman and Richard Reed and graduated from East High in 1951, where he lettered in Football and Track. Jim spent 2 years in the army, 18 months on the front lines and Military Police in the Korean Conflict, where he earned 2 bronze stars, the Combat Infantry Badge and numerous other awards.

Jim married Donna Debolt in 1955 and had four children, of whom he was very proud. They divorced in 1978, and in 1984 he married Mary Jo Hagedorn, and was devoted to her until her death in 2013.

Jim started his life doing what he loved, carpentry, until one winter he found himself out of work with 4 small children, and ultimately worked for the Federal Department of Housing and Urban Development/Federal Housing Administration for 22 years as a Senior Housing Analyst. He was able to retire early at age 55 so he and Mary Jo could enjoy life traveling, fishing, and cheering on the Hawkeyes. He started JCR Construction Consultants after he retired and continued to work on his own schedule and be his own boss.

Family was the most important thing to Jim, right after God and country. Having grown up in less than ideal circumstances, he worked tirelessly to create a loving, honest, principled family, and he was very proud of all his children. Jim enjoyed woodworking and made many things generously for his family and friends. The deacons’ benches, curio cabinets, quilt stands, picture frames and cedar chests are among the most prized of Jim’s creations by his family and friends.

Jim enjoyed hunting and fishing, and almost all family vacations with the kids were fishing/camping trips. He enjoyed hunting, especially with his son, Chuck. He was proud of “Bucky”, the record setting atypical deer that received a score of 224 5/8 from Boone and Crocket and of the 22 lb. Lake Trout, which actually was one of the few true fish stories told in his circle of fishing buddies!

Jim gave freely of his time to volunteer for St. Johns’ Lutheran Church, Highland Park Lutheran Church, Visitation Catholic Church, Hospice of Iowa, The Drake Relays, USA Track and Field, and the Iowa Lions Eye Bank. As an eye bank volunteer, he developed the “D” program to make it easier for first responders to know about donation, and through it promoted eye, organ and tissue donation everywhere he went. Education was very important to Jim, and he realized his dream of attending college by spending 1 year at Drake University and later made it possible for all his grandchildren to attend college.

The family wishes to thank Jim’s hospice team at Suncrest of Iowa, and especially Erin, and Molly, who helped him make it through the tough parts, the chaplains who sang and prayed with him, the vet who could talk to him about experiences in the military, and Travis and Jackie, who helped us, Erin and Molly ease his last days.

Jim was preceded in death by his parents, his son Rick Reed, his sister Harriet, and his 2nd wife Mary Jo Reed. He is survived by his first wife Donna, his children Cindy Reed (Steve Lamer), Chuck, and Christi Young (Brad), and his grandchildren T.J. Shea, Katie Elliot, Hailey Reed, Maia Reed, and his great grandchildren Jaxon Carlson and Kai McKee.

Memorials may be directed to Suncrest Home Health and Hospice-Des Moines, 5959 Village View Dr, Suite 100, West Des Moines, IA 50266 or the Iowa Lions Eye Bank, 2500 Crosspark Road, W300, Coralville, Iowa 52241

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