James Fyfe

James H. “Jim” Fyfe 79 of Davenport, Iowa died on March 25, 2012, at Genesis Medical Center, West Campus in Davenport with his family around him.

His Celebration of Life Services will be at St. Paul’s Lutheran Church in Davenport, Iowa at 2:00 PM on Thursday March 29, 2012. The visitation is at McGinnis-Chambers Funeral Home in Bettendorf, Iowa on Wednesday March 28, 2012, between 5-7 P.M. We wish to say a special thank you for the staff of the Kahl Home and Jim’s doctors from Trinity and Trinity hospital for their quality of care, their caring and the respect of value and quality of one’s life Also to St Paul Lutheran Church, pastors, staff as well as friends and family for always being there.
James was born on February 10, 1933 in Buena Vista County Iowa, the son of Laverne and Verna Fyfe. He grew up in a small farming community and graduated high school at Sac City High school, in Sac City, Iowa After turning age 18 he was drafted in the Army for the Korean War. At that time he met his future wife Bonnie R. Schwartz. They were engaged and then married on January 25, 1953. The joke was he was old enough to be drafted by the Army, but by Iowa law at that time he had to get written permission by his parents to get married.
After a knee injury while in the Army, he was given an honorable discharge. He spent the next 20 years working in the dairy industry, ranging from working in dairy plants, managing dairy farms to home delivery sales. At age 40 he made a career change and entered into the insurance business. For the next 35 years he enjoyed a successful and distinguished career in the insurance industry. He loved working with people and appreciated the trust and relationships of his clientele, friends and co workers in the insurance industry. He had the privilege of working with his friend Merle Aller, and writing business through the Aller Corporation with many different companies. Their collaboration over the years was very successful, but their friendship and loyalty and respect lasted a lifetime. On numerous occasions either Jim or his agency was the top individual life producer or top General Agency in life production with the former Continental Western Life insurance company, National Travelers Life or EMC National Life. For nearly a third of his career he was a top individual life producer.

Toward the twilight of his career he accomplished being a top individual life producer 3 years in a row. This was remarkable accomplishment considering he had suffered a major stroke that left him walking with a leg brace and a cane He felt this was important to show people that life didn’t have to end if you had a major stoke and disability, that you could still make a difference in peoples’ lives. Jim’s insurance agency was a family business, for many years his wife Bonnie was his office secretary and his son Jeff worked with him side by side for 25 years.
Jim retired 5 years ago due to a double brain stem stroke, which left him wheel chair bound; both he and Bonnie moved in with their son Jeff and his family. They say only 1% of people survive this type of stroke and most likely go to a nursing home. Jim had a new challenge; he worked hard by the grace of God and his family to live a relatively normal life in retirement surrounded by his loving family. He loved his children Jeff and Lori and was proud of their accomplishments, but more proud of the type of people they grew up to be. He loved his grandchildren and they were his and Bonnie’s life. From the day his first grandson was born on his birthday 25 years ago. From baptisms to every baseball, basketball, soccer games to every dance & piano recitals, chorus programs and graduations between all 3 grand kids - they loved watching them grow up and being part of their lives! Jim and Bonnie traveled all over the world and throughout the United States together for over 59 loving years of marriage and shared a life time of love and happiness. Jim had many interests. He loved to read anything about history as well as westerns & war novels. He loved baseball and football and rooted for the Cubs and Bears all his life. He took pride in living in Iowa and followed the Iowa Hawkeye’s basketball and football teams. He was a member of St Paul’s Lutheran church and was proud to serve his church and God by being an usher for many years.
He was a quiet man who spoke volumes in what he didn’t say. At 6 ft.5in. and 240 lbs and how he carried himself commanded respect. His firm hand shake from those big strong hands, a hug when you needed one or a look in his eyes said it all. He always said when your life is over it’s not about what you have or who you are, it’s about love, family and God. Not bad for a small town farm boy from northwest Iowa. Jim is survived by his wife Bonnie and his son Jeff Fyfe and his loving wife Vicki of Davenport and his daughter Lori Fyfe of Davenport, his 3 grandchildren: Jim Fyfe and his fiancée Aubrey and their family Madden and soon to be born Emma Lynn in May 2012 in East Moline IL, Chris Fyfe Iowa City, Iowa and Jennifer Lynn Fyfe Grenobel France and sister Janet and her husband Mick Ronzio of Grand Junction, CO, and his loving dog Sampson. We love Dad.

Online condolences may be expressed to the family and additional obituary information may be read by visiting James’ obituary at www.McGinnis-Chambers.com.