James "Jim" Monachino

James "Jim" Monachino, 91, passed away peacefully on Wednesday, April 28, 2021. Visitation will be held Thursday, May 13, 2021 from 4 to 6 p.m. at Hamilton's on Westown Parkway in West Des Moines, IA with a Rosary at 4:00 p.m. Mass of Christian Burial will be held Friday, May 14 at 10:30 a.m. at St. Francis of Assisi Catholic Church, 7075 Ashworth Road in West Des Moines. A luncheon will follow the service.

Born July 9, 1929 to Josephine (Mancuso) and Samuel Monachino in Cleveland, OH, Jim enjoyed playing football and baseball in high school. His family moved to Los Angeles where he attended Redondo Beach High School and was honored as one of 100 distinguished graduates in the school's 100-year history. Upon graduation, he was offered a baseball contract or a chance to go to the University of California, Berkeley to play football. Jim opted for football, becoming a 4-year member of famed Coach Pappy Waldorf's California Bears, who went on to play in three (1949, 1950, 1951) Rose Bowl games. Inducted into the California Big C Society Hall of Fame 1999.

Jim treasured playing with returning veterans of WWII and felt his coach did an amazing job of handling the two age groups. Upon arriving at their hotel for a game in Washington D.C., the team waited in the lobby for room assignments when Pappy was told by management that black players were not allowed to stay there. Pappy replied, "Boys, pick up your bags, we will find another place to stay." Before making a mass exodus they were hastily called back and arrangements were made to take the whole team. Pappy declared "take us all or none."

While at Cal, Jim was selected for numerous awards: 1949 Pacific Coast Conference Scoring Champ, second high all-time rushing leader, Vard Stockton Award as outstanding offensive player against Ohio State 1950 Rose Bowl, International News Service and Associated Broadcaster All-Coast, United Press All Pacific Coast Conference, Look Magazine All-American, Catholic Extension Magazine All-American, AP All-Coast and All-American Honorable Mention. He served one year at the Naval Training Center in San Diego, where he was on the 12th District All-Star team.

Jim was drafted by the San Francisco 49ers, as a running back from 1951-1953, then traded to the Washington Redskins in 1954, where he was voted by DC sports writers as most valuable Offensive Player in his final career game with the Pittsburgh Steelers.

Jim married Marjorie Puterbaugh a year after their meeting 30,000 feet in the air aboard a United Airlines SF 49ers chartered flight from San Francisco to Chicago. Marj was a stewardess working that flight and in conversation found they both were from Cleveland, Ohio. A promise of a home-cooked meal upon their return to California turned into a courtship and they eloped February 21, 1953.

After his retirement from football, Jim worked as a Northern California sales representative for Pacific Clay Products. He and the family moved to Des Moines, having been recruited to be Manager of Iowa Clay Pipe Products Company in Grimes, and later as Vice-President General Manager for Iowa Concrete Block & Materials until his retirement in 1995 after 15 years with the company.

Jim served on many boards; as President Polk County American Cancer Society, President West Des Moines Chamber of Commerce, President Drake Quarterback-Tipoff Club, Member of WDM Development Corporation, Multiple Sclerosis Society, Master Builders of Iowa, and Masonry Institute of Iowa. He was also a Lector at his church.

His marriage of 68 years to his wife and best friend Marjorie, helping raise their five great children who in turn, blessed them with six equally great grandchildren was his most proud accomplishment. He will be greatly missed by his wife; children, Suzanne (Kevin) Allen, James B. (Judy) Monachino, Robert (Jenny) Monachino, Dr. Thomas (Reba Roof) Monachino and Marianne (Pete) Siberell; grandchildren, Bradley (Sora) Monachino, Michael (Katie) Monachino, Mallory Monachino, Alec (Sarah) Monachino, P.J. Siberell and George Siberell; one great-grandchild on the way; sister-in law, Theresa Monachino; and many nieces and nephews.

Preceding Jim in death were his parents; sister, Jean Marie Price; and brother, Anthony Wayne Monachino.

Memorials may be directed to the Alzheimer’s Association and condolences expressed at www.HamiltonsFuneralHome.com.

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