James Odell Davis 1939 - 2008

DAVIS, JENSEN, HINES

Posted By: Connie Swearingen (email)
Date: 5/19/2019 at 10:13:18

Sioux City Journal
24 October 2008

SMITHLAND, Iowa -- James Odell Davis, 69, of Smithland passed away Wednesday, Oct. 22, 2008, at his residence.

Services will be 10 a.m. Saturday at United Church of Christ in Rodney, Iowa. Burial will be in Little Sioux Township Cemetery, Smithland.

Visitation will be 4 to 8 p.m. today, with the family present 6 to 8 p.m. and a prayer service at 7:30 p.m., at Willman Funeral Home in Rodney.

James Odell Davis, son of Ralph Odell and Pearl Eva (Jensen) Davis, was born July 4, 1939, in Grant Township, Monona County, Iowa. He was raised in the Rodney area and attended school there through the eighth grade. He then attended Smithland High School and graduated with the class of 1957. Following graduation, he attended Wayne State College for two years, then Morningside College, where he received a degree in business and math in 1961.

On Aug. 22, 1959, he was united in marriage to Karen Kay Hines at Smithland United Methodist Church. To this union four daughters were born, Kelly Kay, Jill Marie, Kristi Rae and Janelle Lea. The couple made their home in Smithland and he worked at Simonsen's until 1969, when the family moved to a farm south of Rodney. He farmed in the Rodney area from 1969 to 2000, when they moved back to Smithland. He then began working for Bomgaars until retiring in April 2005.

He enjoyed cards, bowling, camping, movies, gossiping on the hotline and most of all, his grandkids. He was a member of Rodney United Church of Christ and served in the U.C.C. church board. He also participated in several bowling leagues.

He is survived by his wife, Karen of Smithland; four daughters, Kelly Kay Bielenberg of Longmont, Colo., Jill Marie and her husband, Kent Kleckner of Decorah, Iowa, Kristi Rae Huffman and friend, Mark Grubel of Sioux City, and Janelle Lea and her husband, Shane Prather of Columbus, Neb.; 11 grandchildren, Jacob Bielenberg, Lydia Kleckner, Josie Kleckner, Eliot Kleckner, Kaysi Huffman, Davis Huffman, Karsson Huffman, Brock Huffman, Walker Prather, Desi Prather and Makayla Prather; other relatives; and many friends.

He was preceded in death by his parents.

Pallbearers will be Ray Prichard, Larry Mordhorst, Lewis Davis, Louis Paul Reed, Bill Hagerdon and Rich Uhl. Honorary pallbearers will be Mike Davis, Dave and Pat Barngrover, Gracia Forney, Melvin Johnston, Dick Christensen, Marge Smith and James Cleveland.

Memorials may be directed to Rodney United Methodist Church.

The family of James Davis wishes to express their gratitude for all acts of kindness shown to them in their time of sorrow. They invite you to join them following the services at the cemetery for a luncheon at the Rodney Senior Center.