James – West Union

Ross Eldon James, son of Ross Elmer and Eulalia (Zolman) James, was born in Union County, Iowa, March 12, 1921. Ross was 91 years old when he passed away Wednesday, May 30, 2012 at Palmer Lutheran Hospital in West Union, IA.

Ross Eldon was educated in Thayer Consolidated School. Graduating in 1938, he worked on several farms including The Pearson Livestock farm near Waukee. Ross was drafted into military service in October 1942 where he was placed in the Army Air Corps. Trained in armament and aerial gunnery he served as an aerial gunnery instructor arriving on the European front as the conflict was ending. He received his discharge in December, 1945.
Ross married Joy Slaymaker in Troy, Kansas on August 29, 1946. The couple raised two daughters, Diane Boleyn and Sharon Buffie.

Ross worked as a DHIA supervisor and dairy herdsman then enrolled at Iowa State in Ames the fall of 1950. He graduated July 1953 with a bachelor’s degree in Farm Operations and a minor in Vocational Education. The family moved to Clermont in 1953 and Ross was employed as the first Vo-Ag instructor in the newly formed Clermont-Elgin School District. He held that position until retirement in 1983.

Ross obtained his master’s degree in 1959. During his teaching career he held the offices of president and secretary of the Valley Education Association. He also served as FFA advisor at the local, sub-district and district levels. During his tenure, 33 of his students received the Iowa FFA degree, and two members received the American FFA Degree. Ross was awarded both the Honorary State FFA and the Honorary American FFA Degree.

Ross accepted Jesus as his Lord and Savior, was baptized and became a member of the Ames Christian Church in 1951. He transferred his membership to First Baptist Church in Elgin upon settling in Clermont. He served in the church as usher, head usher, trustee, Sunday School teacher, church moderator, and was a faithful prayer warrior.

Ross served four years as Clermont City councilman in the mid-seventies. He was elected again after retirement and also served as mayor. He was a member of the Gideons International. Ross was a member of the Happy Valley and Waterloo Garden Clubs. He was an accredited Flower and Garden Show judge.

Ross loved his Lord, his family and his home. He enjoyed working with people and liked to encourage young people to make something of themselves. He will be especially remembered for his helpfulness, kindness and cheerful smile. He was fond of Big Band and World War II music.

In later years, Ross became proficient on the computer, designing greeting cards, surfing the internet, and keeping up regular correspondence with many friends and family members. He will be remembered for his many personal letters and messages. Following the Bible Pathways guides, he read through the entire Bible 25 consecutive years and was well into his 26th year before his death.

Ross was preceded in death by his grandparents, parents, and sisters Dorothy Bell and Joyce Murphy. He is survived by his wife of 65 years, Joy; daughters Diane (Lee) Boleyn and Sharon (Scott) Buffie; three grandsons, Nate (Chrissy) Boleyn – Marshalltown, Zach (Joani) Boleyn – Butler, MO, Josh Buffie – Minneapolis, MN; and four great-grandchildren, Steven Boleyn – USMC, Jakob and Andrea Boleyn – Osceola, MO and Audrey Boleyn – Marshalltown, IA.

Celebration of life services were held on Monday, June 4, 2012, at 11:00 am at the First Baptist Church, Elgin, Iowa, with Pastor Ryan Zurbriggen officiating.

Visitation was held on Sunday, June 3, 2012, from 4-7 pm at the Leonard – Grau Funeral Home and Cremation Service of Elgin, Iowa.

Inurnment was held on Monday, June 4, 2012, at 9:00 am at God’s Acres Cemetery, Clermont, Iowa, prior to the memorial service.

Leonard – Grau Funeral Home and Cremation Service of Elgin, Iowa, is in charge of arrangements.

Condolences may be left with www.graufuneralhomes.com.