James (Jim) Arthur Gaunt (1948-2018)

GAUNT, JAMES, QUINN, PAYNE

Posted By: Mark Christian
Date: 5/17/2021 at 16:53:13

Obituary From Adams Soderstrum Funeral Home, Story County, Iowa.

James (Jim) Arthur Gaunt, 69, of Ames passed away June 9, at Mary Greeley Medical Center in Ames. The funeral service will be at 1:30 pm Saturday, June 16, at First Christian Church, 611 Clark Street in Ames. Visitation will be 5-7 pm Friday, June 15, at Adams Funeral Home in Ames. Burial will be in the Ames Municipal Cemetery.

James was born December 6, 1948 in Waterbury, Connecticut to John and Iola (James) Gaunt. James was married to Cynthia Jane Quinn on October 22, 1983 at First Christian Church in Ames. To them were born two children, Sarah and Richard.

James received his Bachelor’s degree from the University of Connecticut in 1970 and his Master’s Degree from Iowa State University in 1971. He worked as an analytical chemist, adjunct instructor and as Manager of the Environmental Engineering Research Laboratory in the Department of Civil, Construction and Environmental Engineering for Iowa State University for 39 years, retiring in December 2010. Collaborations with his colleagues resulted in his co-authoring around a dozen peer-reviewed publications, and in 2005, he was the recipient of the Dean’s Staff Excellence Award in the College of Engineering.

He was a very active member of First Christian Church in Ames, serving in numerous leadership and teaching roles. He served in a leadership capacity in AMOS (A Mid-Iowa Organizing Strategy), an organization committed to social justice, and he volunteered in county politics and with Food at First in Ames. James was a Scout Master of Boy Scout Troop 196, a Story County Master Gardener, and an Ames Impact Track Club coach. He volunteered as a firefighter for the Westory Fire Agency in Gilbert, Iowa, and he received the Governor’s Volunteer Award. He enjoyed working with his hands whether it was woodworking, leatherwork, gardening or pie baking. He loved to read but most of all enjoyed learning and spreading his knowledge.

James is survived by his wife Cynthia of Ames; daughter, Sarah Gaunt of Ames; son, Richard (Brittney) Gaunt of Omaha, Nebraska; and two grandchildren, Arthur and Rosemary.

He was preceded in death by his parents and his Aunt Natalie and Uncle Stanley Payne.

Memorials may be addressed to First Christian Church in Ames or Food At First in Ames.

Online condolences may be left at adamssoderstrum.com

http://www.adamssoderstrum.com/
 

Story Obituaries maintained by Mark Christian.
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