Ransom, James 1905-2003
RANSOM, JOHNSON, PHELPS
Posted By: Mary Holub, volunteer (email)
Date: 4/24/2009 at 20:49:55
From: Sioux City Journal, February 12, 2003
LE MARS, Iowa -- The Rev. James Ransom, 97, of Le Mars passed away Saturday, Feb. 8, 2003, at Floyd Valley Hospital in Le Mars.
Services will be 10:30 a.m. Friday at Presbyterian United Church of Christ in Le Mars, with the Rev. Timothy Olsen officiating. Graveside services will be 9:30 a.m. Friday in Memorial Cemetery. Visitation will be after 2 p.m. Thursday, with the family present 5 to 8 p.m. and a prayer service at 7 p.m., at Mauer-Johnson Funeral Home in Le Mars. Visitation will resume 8:30 a.m. Friday at the funeral home.
James Denny Ransom was born Sept. 12, 1905, in Bicknell, Ind., to Samuel "Fred" Winfred and Lydia Louisa (Johnson) Ransom. The family moved to Des Moines, where he graduated from East High School in 1923. He continued his education at Des Moines University from 1926 to 1929. He later graduated from Parsons College in Fairfield, Iowa, with a bachelor of arts degree in 1930. He continued in his pastoral studies at McCormick Theological Seminary in Chicago, Ill. He received his bachelor of divinity in 1933. After receiving his degree, he was ordained by the Des Moines Presbytery at Union Park Presbyterian Church.
The Rev. Ransom served his first church in New Sharon, Iowa, for one year and also met his bride to be. He relocated to Des Moines and served Windsor and Fort Des Moines, Iowa, as well until 1937.
He and Arloine Grace Phelps were united in marriage in New Sharon, Iowa, on April 8, 1937. The couple made their home in State Center, Iowa, where he served as pastor until 1942. The couple served the communities of Nevada and McCallsburg, Iowa, prior to moving to Le Mars in 1953. He presided over Presbyterian United Church of Christ in Le Mars for 18 years prior to his retirement in 1971. He continued to assist the church for many years in various capacities.
His work with the Presbyterian Church also allowed him to be Moderator of the Presbyteries of Waterloo and Prospect Hill, Iowa, Stated Clerk of Prospect Hill Presbytery and Moderator of the Synod of Iowa. He was a member of Lions International for more than 50 years and had received the prestigious Melvin Jones Award.
He will be lovingly remembered by his daughter and her husband, Judy and Mark Jon Kinkade of Le Mars; a granddaughter and her husband, Laura and John Wiltgen of Le Mars; a grandson and his wife, gunnery Sgt. Mark James and Penni Kinkade of Albany, Ga.; and five great-grandchildren, Elizabeth, Mark Golden and Hannah Kinkade and Sean and Blaine Wiltgen.
He was preceded in death by his parents; his wife, Arloine on March 20, 1997; a sister, Maude Vines; and a brother, Paul Ransom.
Tombstone Photo
Plymouth Obituaries maintained by Linda Ziemann.
WebBBS 4.33 Genealogy Modification Package by WebJourneymen