Humphrey, James T.

James T. Humphrey, 87, of Iowa City, died Monday, Jan. 11, 2010, at Oaknoll Retirement Residence, Iowa City. Memorial services will be held at 1:30 p.m. Friday at Oaknoll's recreation room, conducted by Pastor Jan Rippentrop of Zion Lutheran Church, where he was a member. He is survived by his wife, Mildred, and 17 nieces and nephews.

Jim was born in Hesper, Iowa, on March 16, 1922, to Beata and John Humphrey. He was preceded in death by his parents; his sisters, Dolly Oesterborg and Jeri Olson; and his brothers, Harland and Lyle.

Jim and Mil were long time residents of Ottumwa, where he taught history at Ottumwa High School from 1954 to the mid 1980s and she was a registered nurse. He also taught in Centerville and Aldon at the beginning of his career. They moved to Iowa City in 1991, after retirement.

Jim was a sportsman throughout his life. His first job at age 10, was as a golf caddie boy at the Clear Lake Country Club. He picked up bags for 25 cents a round, and he picked up a life long love of golf.

At Mason City High School, Jim played end on the football squad and first base in baseball. But more notably, he was a starter on the Mohawks' basketball squad that went undefeated in the 1940 season, rolling to a 32-0 record and the Class A championship. The Iowa Daily Press association named all five starters of that Mason City team as the Class A High School All State Team for 1940.

Jim was a humble and proud member of the University of Iowa I-Club. He earned a basketball letter in the 1943 season, before leaving school for Naval service in World War II. He returned to the University to receive his BA and MA degrees in Economics in 1948 and 1949.

In 1982, at the age of 60, he bought his first bicycle and completed his first RAGBRAI ride across Iowa. Jim continued distance biking for a number of years, culminating in 1990 with a coast to coast bicycle adventure.

In his retirement, Jim loved working with the University maintenance department, at Finkbine Golf Course and painting the field at Kinnick Stadium. Nothing made Jim happier than a Hawkeye victory.

His body has been donated to the University of Iowa College of Medicine. Memorials may be given to the University of Iowa Foundation Men's Basketball Development Fund.

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

Gay & Ciha Funeral and Cremation is assisting Jim's family in these arrangements.