James Allen Telecky

James Allen Telecky

Mount Vernon

James Allen Telecky, 92, of Mount Vernon, Iowa, passed away peacefully on Friday, March 14, 2025, at Hallmark Care Center, Mount Vernon.

Jim was born on April 1, 1932, in Laona, Wisconsin, the only child of John and Loretta (Lambert) Telecky. They soon moved west where Jim’s dad taught in different schools in Nevada. Jim attended the Fallon schools and was very active in athletics. He loved taking the train to Iowa to spend summers and holidays on his grandparents’ farm where his interest in plants and soil began. Eventually his family moved to Iowa and he graduated from Mount Vernon High School in 1949. Jim enrolled at Iowa State but joined the Navy after his junior year and was a member of the Sea Bees (CBs). He returned to Iowa State and graduated with a degree in agronomy in 1955. After graduation Jim began his long and productive career with Pioneer Hi-Bred, Intl.

Jim married Bessie Koutny in August of 1954 and they shared over 70 loving years together. Their family grew quickly and before they knew it they had four daughters. Career opportunities required that the family move to different locations but also led to a strong family bond. Jim was a devoted family man who enjoyed taking his family on camping vacations to national parks around the country. Later Jim and Bess loved taking trips together, especially to Alaska and all special family events. In recent years, he affectively cared for Bess until she needed more care than he could give.

Jim is survived by his daughters, Victoria (Sterling) Young, Rebecca Wilcox, Deborah (David) Blythe, and Teresa (Bruce) Squires; grandchildren, Nicole (Brett) Eidahl, Brandon (Stephanie) Young, Travis (Laura) Young, Ben (Katie) Wilcox, Kristen (Justin) Carpenter, Jennifer (Brian) Mertes, Erin (Seth) Schaller, Brooke (Nathon) Logue, and Dustin (Natasha) Smith; 24 great-grandchildren; and many more loving family members.

Jim was preceded in death by his parents; wife; son-in-law, Gary Wilcox; and brother-in-law, Dale Buresh.

Memorials may be made to the National Park Service.

The Celebration of Life Service will be held at 11:00 a.m. on Monday, March 31, 2025, at Solon United Methodist Church. The family will greet friends one hour prior to the service. A private family inurnment will take place afterwards at the Rogers Grove Cemetery.

Those unable to attend are invited to watch the service via livestream. Please find the livestream link on Jim’s Tribute Wall and share your support and memories with his family at www.stewartbaxter.com under Obituaries.