James E. (Jim) Pitman of Coon Rapids passed away peacefully on Aug. 16, 2022, after a short bout of melanoma and leukemia. He was 91 years of age.
Jim was born Dec. 31, 1930, in Leon, grew up there, graduating from high school in 1949 and married high school sweetheart, Myrna R. Hubbard on May 18, 1952.
He enlisted in the Navy and served from 1951 till 1954. He was stationed in Quonset Point, RI, with duties in the Mediterranean. A new career took Jim and Myrna to Colorado and Missouri. They settled in Jefferson in 1959, where they raised three daughters.
Through the years Jim pursued careers with Des Moines Register and Tribune, Jefferson Bee and Herald and Woodman Accident and Life Insurance Company. He later turned to enjoy the restaurant business with ownerships of East End in Lakeview, the Beaver Steak House, and Klassi Klub in Grand Junction. In retirement, Jim and Myrna spent time in Minnesota and Texas. Jim was always up for a fishing trip or checking out local watering holes with friends. He and Myrna were season ticket holders for the Iowa Hawkeyes where that passion ran deep.
Myrna preceded Jim in death in 2007.
Jim is survived by daughters Rebecca (David) Key in Minneapolis, MN, Joyce (Jim) Kurth in Jefferson, and Susan Pitman in Ankeny; brother Chuck (Twing) Pitman from Chapel Hill, NC; four grandchildren and two great-grandsons.
The family would like to thank Slininger-Schroeder Funeral Home for cremation and arrangements. At a later date, the family will gather for memorial and special time together.
