116 3rd St SE
Cedar Rapids, Iowa 52401
Obituaries
The Gazette publishes obituaries on a daily basis. Use the search field above to search for obituaries by name or keyword. Readers can submit an obituary or submit a milestone to The Gazette. The obituary must be submitted before 1 p.m. for publication on thegazette.com at 6 p.m. and in the daily edition the next day, with the exception of obituaries for Sunday publication, which must be submitted by 1 p.m. on Fridays.
James Churchill
JAMES "JIM" LEE CHURCHILL
Cedar Rapids
James "Jim" Lee Churchill left this world to be reunited with his beloved wife, Suzanne, on Dec. 24, 2015, at age 85.
Born in Kansas City, Mo., on May 7, 1930, to LeRoy and Florence Churchill, Jim was raised with modest means and a strong moral compass. He learned that hard work and kindness paid off, and carried those traits with him throughout his life. Growing up, when not in school or working, Jim spent his free time active in sports. Fortunately for him, he was a better than average athlete, which afforded him the opportunity to attend the University of Missouri on a basketball scholarship, wherein he earned his degree in business administration.
Shortly after graduation, Jim enlisted in the U.S. Air Force, where he served his country flying F-86s in the Korean War. Upon completion of the war, Jim continued flying as a pilot for TWA. It was during this time he met the love of his life, Suzanne Jane Geer, a stewardess with TWA. After a short romance, Jim and Suzanne exchanged vows on Nov. 26, 1956. Who knew their romance would last 58 years!
Along the way, Jim and Suzanne raised three boys: Greg, Gary and Ken. With each addition to the family, Jim and Suzanne's pride as parents grew.
After a lengthy career in the aerospace industry working for the likes of Aero Commander Lear Siegler, Sperry and finally Collins Radio/Rockwell Collins, Jim and Suzanne retired to the Hilton Head area of South Carolina, where they focused their lives on family, friends and golf and more golf and more golf.
Jim's world was abruptly shattered in June 2014 with the unexpected passing of his partner, Suzanne. He spent his last year in Cedar Rapids so he could be closer to family.
A special thanks to those who reached out to Jim to welcome him back to the community. He appreciated your efforts, but never regained his fire after Suzanne's passing.
Jim is survived by his three sons, Greg (Terri) Churchill of Marion, Gary Churchill of Atlanta, Ga., and Ken (Celeste) Churchill of Lakeville, Minn.; and his grandchildren – whom he was so very proud of – Graham, Alexandra and Emma Churchill.
Throughout his life, Jim remained true to his values of family, hard work and especially kindness. He will be greatly miss by all of us!!!
Thanks go to all of those at St. Luke's ICU and Hospice who comforted him in his final days. You are all saints!!!
Per Jim's wishes, no memorial service will take place.
Thoughts and condolences may be sent to 1700 Cottage Grove Pkwy., Marion, IA 52302.
Online condolences may be left at www.iowa
cremation.com under "obituaries."
Daily Newsletters