Rev. Vincent L. JAMES

JAMES, FLAGG, MACNEIL

Posted By: Sarah Thorson Little (email)
Date: 3/1/2009 at 11:22:28

Feb. 20, 1920 - Feb. 17, 2009

DES MOINES -Pastor Vincent L. James, 89, passed away Tuesday, Feb. 17, 2009, at Wesley Acres, Des Moines, where he resided. Funeral Services were 11 a.m., Monday, Feb. 23, at Immanuel United Methodist Church, 2900 – 49th Street, Des Moines. Burial will follow at Iowa Veterans Cemetery, Van Meter. Visitation was Sunday, Feb. 22, at Iles Funeral Homes – Dunn's Chapel, 2121 Grand Avenue, Des Moines.

Vincent was born Feb. 20, 1920, in Big Rock, Ill., the son of Beulah Flagg and Evan James. After Vincent's mother passed away, he was raised by his father, Evan, and Evan's second wife, Nelly. Vincent faithfully served his country from 1943 – 1946 in the U.S. Army during WW II. On Aug. 10, 1946 he was united in marriage to Amy MacNeil in Salt Lake City, Utah. He earned a Bachelor's degree in Agriculture from the University of Illinois and completed his seminary education in Dubuque. Vincent began his ministerial career serving churches in Illinois. For 15 years, from the late 1950s to the early 1970s, Vincent and Amy completed missionary work in South America. They helped build churches and more than 100 homes in Chile while also attending to their neighbors' spiritual lives. They also assisted residents in other South American countries following major earthquakes and other natural disasters. After returning to the Unites States, Vincent served as pastor at numerous churches including Sherrill, Ainsworth, Yale, Jamaica, Bagley, Woolstock, Greenbrier, Burt and Greene. Even in retirement, God's faithful servant Vincent made several trips to Mexico to build homes with Habitat for Humanity.

Vincent is survived by his wife, Amy; sons: Stephen of Clear Lake, and Wesley of Atlanta, Ga.; grandchildren: John James of Des Moines and great-grandchildren Dajah and D'Quan James of Mason City; brother, Ellsworth (Ethel) of Johnson Creek, Wisc., and sisters-in-law, Vera James of Chicago, Ill., and Helen James of Monona; and several nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by parents, Evan and Nelly James, his mother, Beulah Flagg and two brothers, Thomas and Bruce. Memorial contributions may be directed to Habitat for Humanity 2341 – 2nd Avenue, Des Moines, IA 50313. Dunn's Funeral Home in charge of arrangements.

Algona Upper Des Moines, Iowa
February 19, 2009