James, David Phillip 1937-2023

JAMES, FREESTONE, MARKEY, HANSEN, MALL, KITCHEN, ROSEN, MEYER, CARLSON, MORITZ

Posted By: Volunteer Transcriber
Date: 6/2/2025 at 07:54:18

David Phillip James
1937 - 2013
Ankeny, IA

Drake University

FUNERAL HOME
Caldwell Parrish Funeral Home & Crematory - Urbandale Chapel
8201 Hickman Rd.
Urbandale, Iowa

David Phillip James, age 76, died October 22, 2013 at Methodist Hospital in Des Moines, IA. The Mass of Christian Burial will be held at 10:30 a.m., Friday, October 25 at Our Lady's Immaculate Heart Church, 510 East First Street, Ankeny, IA. The interment will be held at Resthaven Cemetery, 801 19th Street in West Des Moines following a reception at the church. Visitation will be held on Thursday, October 24 at Our Lady's Immaculate Heart Church from 5 p.m. to 7 p.m. with a prayer service and reflections at 7.

He was born August 31, 1937 on the James family farm south of Stuart, IA, the son of Edward and Margaret (Freestone) James. He married Shirley (Markey) James at St. John's Church in Des Moines on September 5, 1959. She died on February 2, 2005. He married Joyce (Hansen) Mall on November 25, 2006 at Our Lady's Immaculate Heart Church in Ankeny.

David graduated from Dowling High School in 1955 and Drake University in 1959. He joined the Iowa Air National Guard in 1955 and retired as a Lt. Colonel and Commander of the 132nd Aircraft Maintenance Squadron in 1990. He often said he would have done his service to the 132nd for free.

After graduating from college he joined his family's real estate company, Ed James Real Estate, and soon moved to Standard Oil Company where he was a real estate manager for several years. In the 1970s he became one of the original franchisees for Casey's General Stores. David built three Casey's stores in Iowa, in Lamoni, Alta, and Eldridge. He was one of the original innovators for the sale of donuts, pizza, and chicken for Casey's.

David volunteered for St. Vincent de Paul Society and Operation Santa Claus for many years and was an active member of the Silver Squadron. He and Joyce wintered at their home in Sun City West, AZ, for the past several years. David and Joyce took many wonderful trips together. He loved travel, golf, the Cubs, Da Bears, and FOX News.

He was devoted to his family and especially enjoyed his grandchildren. He is survived by his wife, Joyce, and his brother, Lawrence E. James of Des Moines and his wife Barbara (Glenn). He is also survived by his children, grandchildren and stepchildren: daughter, Trelawney (T.J.) Kitchen and her husband, John of Danville, CA; son, Matthew of Ankeny; daughter, Regina James and her husband, Craig Rosen of San Mateo, CA; son, David of Albuquerque, NM; daughter Rebecca Meyer and her husband, Vernon of Ankeny; stepdaughter Cynthia Carlson and her husband, Mike of Minneapolis, MN; stepson, Steven Mall and his wife, Jill of Clive, IA; stepdaughter, Angela Moritz and her husband Jim of West Des Moines; granddaughters, Alexandra, Samantha, Gabrielle, Kate, Jorden, Allie, Paige and Jenna; and grandsons, John and Daniel. He is preceded in death by his wife of 46 years, Shirley; his parents Edward and Margaret; and his grandson David Meyer.

In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to either Our Lady's Immaculate Heart Church or Wounded Warriors Project. Online condolences may be left at caldwellraddatz.com.
To plant trees in memory, please visit the Sympathy Store.

Published by the Des Moines (IA) Register from Oct. 24 to Oct. 27, 2013.