Skarda, Dr. James 'Jim'

Dr. James “Jim” Skarda, 66, of Iowa City, died at his home Saturday, May 26, 2012, surrounded by his family and his dogs. Services celebrating Jim's life will be held at 6:30 p.m. Wednesday, May 30, at First United Methodist Church in Iowa City. There will be a time of gathering for family and friends beginning at 5:30 p.m. Wednesday at the church and again following the service with refreshments served. (Sunday Parking Ordinance will be in effect for the streets around the church).

In lieu of flowers, memorial donations can be made in Jim's memory to any of the following: Iowa City Hospice, First United Methodist Church or West High School Band.

Online condolences may be sent for his family through the web at .

James Lawrence Skarda was born Jan. 16, 1946, at Kelly Air Field, Texas, the son of Paul James and Mildred Lucille (Kavedra) Skarda. He graduated from high school in Britt, Iowa, with the class of 1964 (where his father was superintendent). He enrolled at the University of Iowa majoring in pre-med and graduated from the College of Medicine in 1971. Jim did his internship in Stockton, Calif., and completed his residency at the U. S. Public Health Service Hospital, Staten Island, New York. He returned to Iowa City in 1976 to begin a private practice in Urology in association with Mercy Hospital, until his retirement in 2011.

He married the love of his life (and hers too) Jennifer Jane Mills on July 2, 1988, at their annual family reunion in Forest City, Iowa. Jim was a man who loved life. He especially loved his family, his practice and his patients (many of whom he considered friends). He also loved to fish, garden and spend time outdoors at their rural home in Iowa City, and their cottage at Clear Lake. He cherished his time with family, friends and of course. his dogs. He was known to be little crazy as an Iowa Hawkeye fan, with one of his prized possessions being a homecoming badge collection that dates back many years.

His family, which was his world, includes his wife, Jennifer; son, Jonathan James Skarda; daughter, Juliann Janet Skarda all of Iowa City; his father and mother, Paul James and Pauline Skarda of Ames; sister and her husband, Shirley and Michael Esch of the Twin Cities, Minn.; and brother and his wife, Paul and Kathryn Kuhlman of Keota; and a host of other family and dear friends.

Jim was preceded in death by his mother, Mildred; and niece, Anna Rich.

Gay & Ciha Funeral and Cremation Service of Iowa City is caring for Jim's family and his services.

Published in The Gazette May 29, 2012.