James Tooley (1914-2004)

TOOLEY

Posted By: Padriag (email)
Date: 3/7/2008 at 12:59:47

In Memory: James Tooley

James Gordon Tooley, 90, died November 14, 2004 at Myrtue Memorial Hospital in Harlan.

James was born on January 14, 1914 in Oakland, Iowa. He was the son of John "Ed" and Hazel Jarrett Tooley.

James attended kindergarten in Oakland. His family moved to Minden where he continued school until he graduated in 1933.

He married Clara Mae League on October 11, 1938 in Walnut. Afterward, they began farming south of Minden. They had three children: James, Virginia and Debra.

After farming for some years, James and his family moved to Omaha, Nebraska, where he was a garbage collector. Then he worked at his father-in-laws' drayline company in Walnut. He eventually purchased the company, which led into masonry work. In 1968 he began working for the City of Walnut at the water plant. He retired from the city in 1981.

James had several hobbies including baking bread and cookies and gardening. He and his son took yearly trips to Lae Scaul, in Ontario, Canada to fish for walleye and northern. He was a 50-year member of the Masonic Lodge and a volunteer fireman.

James was preceded in death by his older brother Merlin, his wife, Clara Mae, and his daughter Virginia Bock. Survivors include his son, James and his wife Janice of Walnut and daughter Debra and husband Doug Marsh of Omaha, 10 grandchildren and 14 great-grandchildren.

Funeral services were held at the Walnut First Presbyterian Church on November 18 at 10:00 a.m. with Pastor David Krueger officiating.

Burial was in the Layton Township Cemetery in Walnut.

Gazette
November 18, 2004