Memorial services for Rev. Jim King will be May 13, 2022, at First United Methodist Church, Jefferson.
James Wilbur King was born January 30, 1931, in Centerville, to Wilbur and Donna King. He grew up the middle of nine children. Jim started school at 4 years old, and graduated from Centerville High School in 1948. He promptly enlisted in the United States Air Force and served for 46 months. He enrolled at Iowa State Teachers College (now University of Northern Iowa) in 1953 and graduated with honors in 1956, receiving the bachelor of arts with a major in biological science, a minor in history, and having received departmental honors in science.
In 1956 he was admitted to Garrett Biblical Institute, part of Northwestern University in Evanston, IL. He was awarded the degree of bachelor of divinity in 1961. He completed his doctorate of ministry in 1983 from Wartburg Theological Seminary in Dubuque.
In 1951, Jim married Leona Greenwood. They had four children together prior to her death in 1961 – Dorie, Deb, Rocky, and Karen. He married Kathryn Moore of Bagley in November of 1963, and a daughter, Shari, joined the family in 1969. These unions have resulted in 12 grandchildren and 14 great-grandchildren (so far).
Jim served as a United Methodist pastor for 42 years with the Iowa Conference. He started with student charges in Donnellson and Harding, IL, while in seminary. He was ordained in October 1961. His pastoral appointments were:
1961-1968 Bagley-Greenbrier-Jamaica
1968-1972 Fremont-Cedar-Kirkville
1972-1979 Corning Parish
1979-1985 District Superintendent of the Ottumwa District
1985-1990 Atlantic
1990-1993 First United Methodist Church, Des Moines
1993-1998 Nevada
After retirement in 1998, Jim and his wife Kathy moved to rural Bagley, then to Jefferson. They spent 11 winters working with Nomads on a Mission Acting in Divine Service (NOMADS), providing volunteer labor for United Methodist organizations across the USA. Projects included new construction, remodeling, and repairs for churches, homes, camps, and colleges. He enjoyed golf, fishing, following his kids’ and grandkids’ activities, and read voraciously. Travel was also a joy and he was committed to having a family vacation annually. And then, there was his singing! Any congregant knew that robust singing was not only encouraged, but expected.
Jim is survived by his wife Kathy and his children Dorie Womacks of Montrose, CO, Deb Roberts (Jeff) of Corning, Rocky (Tania) of League City, TX, Karen Marsh (Rob) of Clarinda, and Shari King (Jim Reidy) of Marshalltown, as well as his sisters Julia (David) White of Moraga, CA, and Ann McDowell of Henderson, NV. He was preceded in death by his parents, siblings Jeanne Koestner, Gerry Ladendorf, Mary Pickering, Betty Glenn, Joe King, and Nancy Elliott; and grandson Sean Ervin.
