JAMES, Harold R. 1922-2003

JAMES, BENDICKSON

Posted By: County Coordinator
Date: 11/16/2009 at 12:44:27

Harold R. James, 81

Harold R. James, age 81, died Monday, June 2, 2003, at Chautauqua Guest Home, Charles City, Iowa.

Harold was born March 29, 1922, in Moscow Township, Freeborn County, to Leon James and Laura (Bendickson) James, as the oldest of three children.

Harold moved to Austin in 1938, where he was employed by Hormel Foods, Pure Carbonic Co. and later for Railway Express of Austin. He married Pearl Mae Wallem Aug. 31, 1944, in South Dakota. He was inducted into our Armed Services in 1945, where he maintained the peace and reconstruction of post-war Korea and the Philippines until discharge in 1946. He had one daughter, Kathleen Ann James in 1951. In 1962, Harold heeded his calling to return to the farm and he moved his family to a farm south of Blooming Prairie in 1962. He was known for his gardening abilities, as he and his wife maintained a large, beautiful garden of flowers, fruits and vegetables worthy of recognition.

He was a member of Our Savior's Lutheran Church in Austin staring in 1954, where he spent a great deal of the 1950s and 60s as a member of the Church council. He was also well known as a church usher for over 35 years.

Known as a man of great humor and integrity, he was a friend to many. He could visit with and charm anyone with his great personality; young, old or in between. He was a lover of good music and an exceptional dancer, as many of his friends could attest. His other passions included fishing, hunting and playing cards.

He is survived by his wife, Pearl (Wallem) James of Austin; brother, Charles James and sister-in-law, Francine James of Austin; brother-in-law, Harry Wallem of Brownsdale; daughter, Kathleen (James) Hagaman and son-in-law, Fred Hagaman of Ames, Iowa; three grandchildren, Christopher Goodwin of Minneapolis, Benjamin Goodwin of Austin, Laura (Goodwin) Sauceda and grandson-in-law, Jeremias Sauceda of Ames, Iowa; one step-grandchild, Amy Taylor of Boone, Iowa; two great-grandchildren, Seth and Luke Sauceda; one step-great-grandchild, Jon Taylor.

He was preceded in death by his parents, Leon and Laura; and sister, Everialde (James) Klein.

Visitation is 4 to 7 p.m. Thursday at Clasen-Jordan Mortuary. The funeral is at 11 a.m. Friday at Our Saviors Lutheran Church of Austin with interment at Oakland Midway Lutheran Cemetery.

Austin Daily Herald