Jesse Douglas James
July 17, 1961 — June 29, 2023
Jesse Douglas James was born July 17, 1961 in Yuma, Arizona the son of Bobby and Patricia (Derby) James.
Jesse graduated from high school in Blakesburg, Iowa. Following high school, he attended and graduated from Iowa State University. Jesse worked for EMC Insurance for 30 years, retiring as a Senior Claims Adjustor. He was also a volunteer firefighter and scuba diver for the Pleasantville Fire Department.
In his spare time, Jesse enjoyed carpentry and was a Third-Degree black belt in Taekwondo. Hunting, fishing, or doing anything outside were other favorite past times for Jesse.
Jesse passed away Thursday, June 29, 2023 at his home, in Swan, Iowa, surrounded by his family at the age of 61 years.
Those left to honor Jesse’s memory include his wife, Karol; children: Zachary James (Kayla) James of Pleasantville, Rachel (Jacoby) Bice of Woodward, Ryan (Emily) DeJoode of Hamilton and Kari DeJoode of Bloomfield; grandchildren: Daniel, Carter, Andrew, Connor, Kaylie, Oliver, Haley, Ezekiel, Emma and Nihilus; parents, Bobby and Patricia of Blakesburg; siblings: Brian (Stacey) James of Edmond, Oklahoma; Tim (Karen) James of Ottumwa and Terri James of Ottumwa and many other family members and friends.
A Celebration of Life for Jesse James, age 61 of Swan, will be held Monday, July 3, 2023 at the Pleasantville Fire Station from 2:00 p.m. to 4:00 p.m. Memorials may be made to the Pleasantville Fire Department.
Jesse graduated from high school in Blakesburg, Iowa. Following high school, he attended and graduated from Iowa State University. Jesse worked for EMC Insurance for 30 years, retiring as a Senior Claims Adjustor. He was also a volunteer firefighter and scuba diver for the Pleasantville Fire Department.
In his spare time, Jesse enjoyed carpentry and was a Third-Degree black belt in Taekwondo. Hunting, fishing, or doing anything outside were other favorite past times for Jesse.
Jesse passed away Thursday, June 29, 2023 at his home, in Swan, Iowa, surrounded by his family at the age of 61 years.
Those left to honor Jesse’s memory include his wife, Karol; children: Zachary James (Kayla) James of Pleasantville, Rachel (Jacoby) Bice of Woodward, Ryan (Emily) DeJoode of Hamilton and Kari DeJoode of Bloomfield; grandchildren: Daniel, Carter, Andrew, Connor, Kaylie, Oliver, Haley, Ezekiel, Emma and Nihilus; parents, Bobby and Patricia of Blakesburg; siblings: Brian (Stacey) James of Edmond, Oklahoma; Tim (Karen) James of Ottumwa and Terri James of Ottumwa and many other family members and friends.
A Celebration of Life for Jesse James, age 61 of Swan, will be held Monday, July 3, 2023 at the Pleasantville Fire Station from 2:00 p.m. to 4:00 p.m. Memorials may be made to the Pleasantville Fire Department.
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