James W. Rockwell (1944-2022)

ROCKWELL, SULLIVAN, FLOWERS, HEWITT, KNUTSON, KUNAU, FRANZEN

Posted By: Ken Wright (email)
Date: 8/31/2022 at 16:47:23

James W. Rockwell, 78, of Clinton passed away Sunday, August 28, 2022 in the presence of his wife and children.

Funeral Services will be 10:00 am, Friday, September 2, 2022 at Prince of Peace Catholic Church - Clinton. Burial will be in Pine Grove Cemetery. Visitation will be Thursday evening from 4:00 to 7:00 pm at the Clinton Chapel Snell-Zornig Funeral Homes and Crematory. A Celebration of Life will be held at Legends Sports Bar pool room on Friday, September 2, 2022 from 1:00 to 5:00 pm.

James William Rockwell was born January 2, 1944 in Maquoketa, Iowa, the son of Alva and Virginia (Sullivan) Rockwell. He grew up in Clinton and was a 1962 graduate of St. Mary’s High School. He earned his Bachelor’s Degree in Sociology from St. Ambrose College. Jim married Kathleen Flowers in their family home on September 19, 1975 in Clinton, Iowa. Jim worked as a Chief Juvenile Probation Officer for 35 years, retiring in 2005.

Jim dedicated his life to the youth of Clinton County in his occupation and his spare time. He developed several youth sports programs, coached multiple teams, and was actively involved in the YMCA. He enjoyed playing softball as Captain of Sticky’s 2x4, and played basketball into his fifties. He was an active athlete known for his distance running. He loved being outdoors, fishing, hunting, and being with his dogs. He enjoyed music and dancing with his children and grandchildren. Jim was a longtime fan of the New York Yankees and the Notre Dame Fighting Irish. His true joy was his family and the home he created on Melrose Court.

He is survived by wife Kathy Rockwell of Clinton; children: Martha Sullivan Rockwell of Johnston, Iowa, Laura (Nathan) Hewitt of Glenview, Illinois, Ian Mewaka Rockwell of St. Louis, Missouri and Abby (Nicholas) Knutson of Charlotte, North Carolina; six grandchildren: Daisy, Lindley, Ellison, Oliver, Sullivan and Vivian; siblings: Betty Kunau of Clinton and David (Myra) Franzen of Preston, Iowa and close nephew Scott Kunau of Fulton.

Jim was preceded in death by his parents, siblings: Patricia Koch, Jo Anne Neubert, Michael Rockwell, Madonna Franzen and Paul Rockwell, and nephew Rick Koch.

Memorials may be made to the YWCA - Clinton, Iowa.

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