Jimmy Garwood

JIMMY GARWOOD

Tipton

Jimmy Jay Garwood, 75, of Tipton, went home to be with the Lord at University of Iowa Hospitals and Clinics in Iowa City after a sudden illness on Oct. 17,

2014.

He was born Sept. 2, 1939, north of Stuart, Iowa, the youngest of four sons born to Hobart and Minnie Arrasmith Garwood. Jim was a Dexter Owl from kindergarten through high school. He played high school football and basketball for the Dexter Blue Devils. He drove to high school in his Model A, graduating in 1957. After high school he graduated from Simpson College and then went on to Drake School of Pharmacy, graduating as a licensed pharmacist.

On June 9, 1962, Jim married the love of his life, Norma Jean Fink, at the Dexter Presbyterian Church. They lived in Pella and Nevada. Their daughter, Pam, was born in 1963 while living in Pella. She was a delight to her parents and completed their family. They moved to Albia, where he owned and operated Garwood Health Mart for 26 years.

He was an expert woodcarver, as was Norma Jean an excellent quiltmaker; they enjoyed these activities during their evening hours. Jim loved the Lord and loved to talk about Him. He ministered to the community of Albia in his quiet caring way as they waited for him to fill their prescriptions, just as he was a soft-spoken caring person to his family and his extended family.

He enjoyed fishing and hunting squirrels and rabbits, but his natural love was going to auctions, buying and repairing antiques and working at Miss Molly's on Main Street in Tipton. His constant companion was his Maltese dog, Molly, whom, he said, was people, not dog. He was blessed, as he told many, to be able to work with his daughter, Pam, at the store in Tipton.

He is meeting in Heaven with those gone before him and they are enjoying a reunion: his loving wife, Norma Jean; parents, Hobart and Minnie Garwood; grandparents, Macie Sr. and Ellie Garwood and Eugene and May Arrasmith; brothers, Hobart Jr. and Macie; and sister-in-law, Edna Garwood.

He will be missed so much by his daughter, Pam and husband Blair; brother, Warren and wife Bonnie; sister-in-law, Clara Garwood; many nieces and nephews; and friends.

God took one of his best home. He is graduated to heaven.

Funeral services for Jim will be 10 a.m. Monday, Oct. 20, at Tipton's First United Church of Christ. Visitation will be from 2 to 5 p.m. Sunday, Oct. 19, at Fry Funeral Home, 220 E. Sixth St., Tipton. Interment will take place at Dexter Cemetery in Dexter following the funeral luncheon.

Online condolences, memories and pictures may be shared at www.fryfuneralhome.com.