James, Joyce

Joyce James, 83, a life long resident of Cedar Rapids, died at the Dennis and Donna Oldorf Hospice House of Mercy on Saturday, Aug. 28, 2010. Services: 3 p.m. Thursday at Cedar Memorial Park Chapel of Memories. Entombment: Cedar Memorial Park Cemetery. A visitation will be held at the funeral home on Wednesday from 5 to 7 p.m. and at the chapel on Thursday from 2:30 to 3 p.m.

Survivors include her children, Lynda Galiher of Cedar Rapids, Jill (Jim) Hidinger of Shellsburg and Paul James of Shueyville; granddaughters, Rachel Farrell and Heather Losch; great-grandchildren, Ashley Farrell-Vasquez, Nick Parsons, Lexi Melsha, Phoenix Farrell, Noah and Eden Losch; great-great-grandchildren, Macy Farrell and Madaxx Vasquez; and brothers, Richard (Don Berg) Fryrear of Oak Park, Ill., and Robert (Jean) Fryrear of Madison, Conn.

She was preceded in death by her parents, and infant son, Dennis James.

Joyce was born Nov. 12, 1926, in Cedar Rapids, to loving parents, Robert and Mabel Fryrear. She graduated from Roosevelt High School in 1944 and married Frank James at Westminster Presbyterian Church on Dec. 14, 1946. Joyce's career as an executive secretary began at Boy Scouts of America and culminated with her retirement from Souvenir Pen and Pencil Co. While she enjoyed her professional career immensely, Joyce's true calling was that of a devoted wife, mother, and friend.

Joyce enjoyed reading, working crossword puzzles and spending time with her family. She especially delighted in her grandchildren, fondly referring to them as her “stair steps.”

She will be sorely missed by her family, and those who knew the generosity of her heart.

In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to Dennis and Donna Oldorf Hospice House of Mercy, Iowa Hospice or the Cedar Rapids Humane Society.

A tribute or memory for the family may be left on the webpage at under obituaries.