James A. Williamson (2023)

BRITTAIN, KOHLMEYER, NORTON, PATTON, SHADLE, WILLIAMSON

Posted By: Pat Hochstetler
Date: 11/8/2023 at 18:03:22

Iowa Cremation
Cedar Rapids/Waukee, Iowa

James A. Williamson, 83, passed peacefully January 10, 2023, at Nation Cottage, Western Home, surrounded by his family and wonderful caregivers.

He was born February 4, 1939, in Earlham, Iowa, the son of J. Stanley and Irene (Norton) Williamson.

Jim graduated from Earlham High School, Class of 1957, where he excelled at sports earning many accolades in football, basketball, baseball, and track. Following graduation, Jim attended Coe College. Jim married his high school sweetheart, Janet Brittain, June 14, 1959 and they started their home in Cedar Falls, Iowa. Jim served in the U.S. Army. His service allowed him to travel the country as well as overseas to Germany. Jim and Janet celebrated 63 years of marriage in June of 2022.

Once Jim ended his military career, he started a career as a firefighter for the Cedar Falls Fire Department, where he served for 7 years. He then chose to open his own business, Modern Electric Motors. Jim owned and operated motor shops in Cedar Falls, Manchester, & Vinton, Iowa. In his spare time he dabbled in many hobbies such as raising chickens, show rabbits, beekeeping, and homing pigeons. Jim was always striving to make people happy and was very creative in the ways he brought joy to others. He crafted a small blue train made of barrels that was pulled by a tractor bringing smiles and laughter to many children at the events he took it to. Although he stood many feet above each little passenger as he raised them up to their seat on the train, his smile made them feel 10 feet tall. The train was handed down to his grandson Nick where it will continue to run in his memory.

Upon retirement, Jim continued to spread his contagious sense of humor and love of animals by entertaining others with three trained monkeys. Jim, Janet and grandson Zak traveled around the United States performing their mystical, magical, monkey show under the name Jocko and the J’s. It was always Jim’s mission to leave everyone he encountered with a smile and a witty comment or a joke. Later in life, Jim & Janet returned to their hometown Earlham, Iowa where he reconnected with old friends & family and made many new ones. His home was a bright, beautiful place where he enjoyed many sunrises and sunsets over the pond.

Jim was predeceased by his parents and stepmother, Clella Williamson. He is survived by his loving wife, Janet (Brittain) Williamson, a son, Jeffrey Alan Williamson and his wife Nora of Shawnee, Kansas; a daughter, Jennifer Lyn (Williamson) Kohlmeyer and husband Brian of Manchester, Iowa; five grandchildren, Nick Patton and wife Emily, Chelsie Williamson, Holly Williamson, Zakary Kohlmeyer and wife Jordan, and Juli (Kohlmeyer) Shadle and husband Jared, Brian Kohlmeyer Jr.; 6 great grandchildren, Lillian Patton, Ashlyn Patton, Ruby Kohlmeyer, Jackson Kohlmeyer, Dash Kohlmeyer, Parker Kohlmeyer; one brother, John Williamson and his wife Geri.

A celebration of Jim’s life will be held in his hometown Earlham, Iowa at a later date TBA.

Madison Obituaries maintained by Linda Griffith Smith.
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