James Duda

James F. Duda, a resident of Bettendorf, died Wednesday, June 1, 2005, at the Bettendorf Healthcare Center. A memorial service will be 1 p.m. Saturday, June 4, 2005, at Our Lady of Lourdes Catholic Church, Bettendorf, where he was a member. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to the Sisters of Humility or to Our Lady Of Lourdes. Private family graveside services have been held. McGinnis-Chambers Funeral Home, Bettendorf, is assisting the family with arrangements. He was born October 5, 1911, in Velke Bilovice, Czechoslovakia, the son of Ludwig and Julia (Rumpachek) Duda and came to the United States with his parents at the age of 1. On July 7, 1940, he was united in marriage to Mildred M. Steel at Lourdes Church in Bettendorf. He graduated from the Chicago Technical Institute where he was the first collegiate basketball player from Bettendorf. James was a production engineer at the former Bettendorf Company, IH Farmall Works in Rock Island and the McLaughlin Body Company of Moline where he retired in 1972 after many years of faithful service. His memberships include the church where he served on the school and church building committees, the former Bettendorf City League and the Bettendorf Chamber of Commerce. In addition, he was 4th Degree in the Knights of Columbus of Davenport and had served on the Bettendorf Planning and Zoning Commission many years ago. Jim was an avid sportsman whether he was watching or participating. He loved to play golf, enjoyed volunteer coaching sports of all kinds and spent many enjoyable time hunting with his friends. Those left to honor his memory include his beloved wife, Mildred; his daughter, Mima Duda, of Bettendorf; his sons and daughters-in-law, Jim and Karen Duda Jr., of Austin, Texas, Doug and Virginia Duda, of Davenport, John Duda, of Bettendorf, and Joe and Catherine Duda, of Bettendorf; his grandchildren, Jason, Kimery, Justin, Carrie and Cliff; his sister-in-law, Pat Duda, of Bettendorf; and his nieces, Julie and Elaine. He was preceded in death by his sister, Frances Zak, his brother, Louis Duda, and by his niece, Marlene. Condolences may be expressed to the family by visiting his obituary at www.McGinnis-Chambers.com. “Dadbo,” you've given us a million memories.