Jimmy "Jim" Fausett

FAUSETT, BASLER

Posted By: Megan Ciha (email)
Date: 5/26/2017 at 11:13:03

Coralville Dateline:

Jimmy Loy “Jim” Fausett died unexpectedly in Iowa City, Iowa on May 24, 2017 at the age of 85. Jim had been a resident of Coralville, Iowa since March 1959 and served for many years on the town council and later as the city’s mayor.

Jim was born in Springfield, Missouri on November 18, 1931, the son of Ferrell and Verna (Dodd)Fausett. He grew up on a farm near Clark, Missouri. Graduated from Harrisburg High School and the University of Missouri. Married to Carol in 1953. College was interrupted by the war. He was part of the ROTC Program at Missouri and was a member of the National Guard. He went with the US Army to Korea as part of a water purification unit.

After college, Jim and Carol moved to the Coralville area where he was a field man for the Iowa Farm Bureau. In 1966, he took a job in purchasing/scientific supply with the University of Iowa and, starting in 1973, worked in central supply at the University of Iowa Dental School. He served as manager of services there until his retirement in 1997.

Served on Coralville City Council for 18 years starting in 1978 and then 18 more years as the city’s mayor. Jim was proud to have helped start the Coralville bus system and to have presided over much of Coralville’s current growth including Coral Ridge Mall, the Iowa River Landing and the UI Research Park.

He cherished his time spent with grandkids, playing bridge with friends and also enjoyed antique cars. Rarely missed any school or sports activity for his kids and grandkids. He loved gardening and feeding the birds and backyard wildlife at his Coralville home and also loved dogs and animals.

Jim coached flag football and Babe Ruth baseball for many years. Active as a Scout Troop Leader. Loved bringing the Scouts to city hall and teaching them about civics and city government. Jim enjoyed camping, photography, fishing, hunting, the Iowa Hawkeyes.
After Kevin died, Jim and Carol helped start a Compassionate Friends chapter to help parents deal with the death of a child. He was a member of the Coralville United Methodist Church where he served on the Board of Trustees and more committees than we can remember. Member of Kiwanis Club. President of the Iowa League of Cities and also served on the National League of Cities.

During ceremonies incidental to his retirement as Mayor in 2013, Jim often referred to the City of Coralville as he and Carol’s “fifth child.” He stayed involved and served the city however he could up until his death. The Jim L Fausett Theater at the Coralville Center for the Performing Arts was named in Jim’s honor when it opened in 2011.

Jim lived a life of service to others and taught his children and grandchildren to always put others first. For someone who served for so many years in city government, Jim was surprisingly nonpartisan, and he counted among his friends members of all political parties. He was a peacemaker at heart who both informally and formally served in the role of mediator. Jim taught us to treat all members of our community with respect. Jim rarely had a cross word for anyone and tried to see all issues from many points of view.

Jim’s number one priorities were church, family and the good of the community that he served. While his death leaves a large hole in our family and community, we can best honor Jim by trying to follow his example of loving God and loving our neighbors.
So one of the grandkids had to ask him what he wanted to be remembered for, what to put on his tombstone. He said “here lies a fair man.” But it isn’t enough; Jim Fausett was a champion for fairness. He treated everybody the way he expected to be treated, and he is the greatest example of how to live a great life any of us could ever want.

His family includes his wife, Carol; their children, Karen Fausett of Grinnell, IA; Kirk Fausett (Lora) of Wheaton, IL and Kendra Basler (David) of West Des Moines; grandchildren, Kevin, Lucy and Jackson Fausett and Samuel, Grace and Eli Basler; and Jim’s sister-in-law, Shirley Fausett.

Jim was preceded in death by his parents, son, Kevin (1977); brother, Bobbie Fausett; sister and her husband, Neldena and Joe Smith.

Services celebrating Jim’s life will be held at 10:30 am Tuesday, May 30, 2017, at the Coralville Center for the Performing Arts, with burial to follow at the Oak Hill Cemetery in Coralville where military honors will be provided. Visitation will be from 3 to 6 pm Monday at the Coralville United Methodist Church. A more complete obituary will appear in Saturday’s paper. For a more complete obituary, an opportunity to share a memory, thought or condolence with Jim’s family, please go to the funeral home website @ www.gayandciha.com. Gay & Ciha Funeral and Cremation Services is caring for Jim’s family and his services.

Gay & Ciha Funeral and Cremation Service
 

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