James House (1938-2021)

HOUSE, WALL, EAGEN

Posted By: Ken Wright (email)
Date: 2/1/2021 at 13:38:56

James "Jim" House, 82, of Miles, Iowa died at home on Friday afternoon January 29, 2021. According to his wishes his body was cremated. A private memorial service will be held on Friday, February 5, 2021 and will be available for viewing after the service at www.CarsonAndSon.com. A celebration of life will be held at a later time when more friends and family are able to gather. Burial will be at the Sterling Cemetery.

James Gerald House was born at home in rural Bellevue on August 10, 1938 to Gerald and Florence (Wall) House. He attended elementary school in Miles and later graduated from Elwood High School in 1956. Jim earned his bachelor's degree from the Iowa State Teachers College (UNI), his master's degree and principal certification from NE Missouri State and certification as superintendent from the University of Iowa. He was a member of Phi Delta Kappa fraternity. He was married May 25, 1968 to Mary Eagen in Oskaloosa, Iowa.

Jim began his career in education as a Social Studies teacher at Lacey, IA. He was also a teacher, coach and then principal at North Mahaska High School before he was hired as superintendent at Miles in 1972. In 1973, he was a shared superintendent with the Sabula district until it merged to form East Central in 1974 where he remained for 38 years until his retirement in 2010. He was shared with Preston from 1992-2001. Jim was recognized in 1997 by the Iowa High School Athletic Association for his contributions and efforts to start high school bowling. He coached multiple sports including the 1988 girls golf team that won the State Tournament, when two of his daughters were on the team.

He earned his third class pilot's license in 1973. If you thought a car ride with him was scary, you should have flown with him! Jim enjoyed basketball, golf, bicycling, playing cards, coffee clubs, good food, political debate, great deals, reading, music, telling stories, a well-delivered punch line and winning. Watching and discussing the sports his children and grandchildren played was a point of pride and routine. He hoped to be remembered as a philosopher and raconteur (Google it).

Those left to honor his memory include his wife of 52 years, Mary; his daughters, Dr. Melanie House (Sarah Barfels) of North Liberty, IA; Jamie (Nana) Gyamfi, children Trey Gyamfi, Chancelor House, Maya Gyamfi, & Jada Gyamfi of Johnston, IA; Jennifer (Scott) Huling, daughter Nora Huling of Hauntown, IA; Kathryn (Justin) Twist, children Jacey House and Reese Twist of Miles, IA; his siblings Janet Burnett of Streator, IL, Jane (Don) McBride, of Bernard, IA, and Jerry (Linda) House of Delmar, IA; his nieces and nephews and many close relatives and friends. He will be especially missed by his faithful dog, Roxie.

He was preceded in death by his mother and father, Florence and Gerald House of Maquoketa, IA, his sister Jean Curley of Beloit, WI, and his brother-in-law Dick Burnett of Streator, IL.

Those of us who were lucky enough to be on speed dial will miss his regular phone calls which could be short and to the point, but were always filled with sound advice and a good laugh.

In lieu of flowers, donations in Jim's memory will be used to establish a scholarship fund in his name to benefit area students and the family will make a donation to his favorite news source, Iowa Pu