James A. Mincks (1928-2021)

MINCKS, COLE, GEYER

Posted By: Ken Wright (email)
Date: 10/24/2021 at 20:30:17

JAMES "JIM" A. MINCKS Marion
James "Jim" A. Mincks passed away on Oct. 18, 2021, at the Mercy Hospice House in Hiawatha, Iowa, following a brief illness. He chose to be cremated and his remains will then be inurned with his late wife, Dixie, in Iowa City, Iowa. Jim was born on July 26, 1928, in Drakesville, Iowa, to William and Vira Mincks, and was the second of 10 children. Jim left school at a young age to help the family with the farm. When old enough, he enlisted in the U.S. Navy and served in the Korean conflict aboard the USS Saint Paul. While on board, he crossed the equator and received the honor of a certificate as he was now a "shellback." Once discharged from the service, he returned home and married Dixie D. Cole on May 2, 1953. Jim then went to work for the Rock Island Railroad. Jim and Dixie moved to Iowa City and had two children, Chuck and Chris. They restored many antiques and a few homes in their spare time. Following their retirements, Jim and Dixie moved to West Plains, Missouri to a small hobby farm. Jim enjoyed raising young calves and tooling around the farm. The two of them spent many hours driving around the countryside, visiting old cemeteries and researching family history. Following the death of Dixie in 2014, Jim eventually moved back north to Marion, Iowa, to be closer to his immediate family. But before moving north, he was able to visit Washington, D.C. as part of the Missouri Honor Flight. He thoroughly enjoyed that trip. He loved driving aimlessly around the countryside, walking his dog, Bruno, watching the Hawkeyes and westerns on television and visiting with family and friends. Jim was very social and loved to talk to anyone and everyone. He made friends everywhere he went. Jim is survived by his son, Chris (Lisa) of Crystal, Minn.; daughter-in-law, Sue of Marion, Iowa; grandchildren, Duncan (Kathryn) of Minneapolis, Graham of Minneapolis, Christi (Duane) Geyer of North Liberty, Iowa, Nikki (Brandon) Cuaresma of Anchorage, Alaska, and Mike Mincks of Fairbanks, Alaska; great-grandchildren, Faith, Addy, Jace, Koa and Adira; his brother, Bill (Joyce) of Tennessee; and his loyal companion, Bruno. Jim was preceded in death by his wife, Dixie; his son, Chuck; siblings Jack, Gene, Larry, Donald, Dick, Wilma, Carol and Mary; and his parents. Murdoch Funeral Home & Cremation Service in Marion is assisting the family. Please share a memory of Jim at www.murdochfuneralhome.com under obituaries.
Published by The Gazette on Oct. 24, 2021.