Timothy J. Britt (1954-2021)

BRITT, ZENZ

Posted By: Ken Wright (email)
Date: 10/31/2021 at 19:04:13

Friends are invited to graveside service on Saturday Nov 6, 2021 at 1PM at St. John"s Catholic Cemetery, Delhi IA followed by a Celebration of Life at the Delhi Legion from 2-4. Masking is requested.

Tim Britt, 66, died unexpectedly after taking a walk on Saturday, August 22, 2020 in Butler, MO. Tim was born on March 13th, 1954 in Iowa to William J (Bill) and Mary Ann Britt.

He was baptized at St John’s Catholic Church Delhi. He was raised for the first 4 years living above Bill and Mary’s tap (Delhi Tap) that Tim’s parents owned, and at the age of 4 the family purchased and moved to the family farm ‘Irish Acres’ where he lived until graduating from St Joseph’s Elementary, Maquoketa Valley High School in 1972 and the University of Northern Iowa (UNI) in 1976. Tim was married to Ann Zenz from 1982-2009. Together they had two children Tyler in 1991 and Krista in 1997. Tim loved being a father and spending time with his kids. He was a Boy Scout leader and chaperoned many Scout camping trips with Tyler including a stay in the USS Lexington in Corpus Christi, TX. He was also very involved with Tyler’s rising ranks to Eagle Scout and helped supply and finance Tyler’s high school robotics team. He was involved in Special Olympics taking Krista to practice and looked forward to the state meets to watch Krista compete in bowling, track and basketball. Tim later met his finance Beverley Larrick. Tim and Beverley enjoyed life including travelling on cruises, taking long walks together and were looking forward to spending summers back in Iowa after retirement. As the first born of 5 kids, Tim was a natural born leader and public speaker. In 11th grade Tim won an REC presentation contest trip to Washington DC. Tim had to give a presentation about this trip to the annual REC meeting and dinner attended by hundreds of people and area leaders. During the presentation Tim’s big voice strongly stated his pleasure that while in DC he witnessed congress passed an amendment to stop funding the Vietnam war because ‘it is beyond time we bring our troops home from a war we cannot win’. Tim’s strong voice and presentation style brought many pats-on-the-back. Tim was always thankful to his high school industrial arts teacher and mentor Glen Thompson who oversaw Tim building a short wave radio to enter in an industrial arts contest at UNI. Tim’s philosophy at this contest and in life was ‘plan and present to your strengths’. Tim won a 4 year full-ride scholarship to UNI which he says changed the trajectory of his life. From an early age Tim’s independent, take charge style and love of public speaking helped him have no-problem navigating the world. Throughout high school and college, he was able to find great side jobs such as bridge construction, metal fabrication, or loading tractors on semis. At each of these jobs, Tim made and maintained friendships and mentors. After graduating with a degree in Industrial Arts in 1976 he started teaching school in Eldridge, Iowa. After a few years of teaching, Tim was recruited to the private sector and accepted a supervisor job at John Deere Engine Works in Davenport, IA. Each Friday after work Tim would buy his guys a keg at Kelly’s Circle Tap in Davenport. Tim won many sales awards and accepted ever-advancing roles and foreign travels and retired as the Midwest Territory Sales Manager after 42 years at John Deere in 2019. He was still known locally as the John Deere guy. Tim always had a spirit of adventure, excitement and unpredictability. From going on world travels, setting up clay pigeon shooting ranges for post-Christmas Dinner entertainment to setting up John Deere Gator paint ball fights through the woods and creeks on his farm or renting boats. When Tim was in charge, you would never run out of food, booze and would be well entertained. If you jumped into a vehicle with Tim, you did not know if you would be gone 2 hours or 10 hours, but you knew you were about to have an adventure. Tim was a licensed pyrotechnician and shot spectacular fireworks displays for surrounding community and family events. This is a passion that Tim later shared with his son Tyler. Tim donated many lawnmowers, chainsaws and shotguns for various community fundraising raffles. He was a member of Rotary, KCs and Our Lady of Lourdes Catholic church and was often seen at mass and lighting holy candles for friends and family. He enjoyed spending time outside on his acreage and landscaping and had a passion for tractors- especially his antique JD collection. Tim was very committed to and loved spending time with his kids, siblings, friends and family.

Tim was preceded in death by his parents. He will be among the 5th generation of Britts’ buried at St John’s Cemetery, Delhi, Iowa. Survivors include two children, Tyler and Krista Britt, Fiancé Beverley Larrick of Amoret, Missouri, Tyler and Krista’s Mother Ann, Siblings Connie (Jerry Meisgeier) of Traer IA, Jeff (Patti) of Riverside IA, Jill (Tom Hentges) of Palatine IL, and Dan (Jean) of Waverly IA, and many nieces and nephews who adored FUT (Favorite Uncle Tim).

If you don't have family addresses, feel free to mail cards to us at the Schowengerdt Funeral Chapel (1301 N. Orange St., Butler, MO 64730) and we will send to the family.