Former Coralville Mayor Jim Fausett dies at 85

CORALVILLE - Longtime Coralville mayor and City Council member Jim Fausett is being remembered by one peer as a 'giant among area elected officials” and one of the 'founding fathers of modern Coralville.”

Fausett, who served as mayor from 1996 through 2013, died Wednesday at age 85.

As mayor, he led the city through the 2008 flood, as well as a period of population and economic growth, including the beginnings of the Iowa River Landing and opening of Coral Ridge Mall.

Fausett cited heath issues, which included a 2009 heart attack, as a reason for not seeking re-election in 2013.

'He was a true gentleman and I thought a good example to the community of elected officials in the Johnson County area, always prepared and diplomatic at intergovernmental meetings,” said former Iowa City Mayor Matt Hayek.

In all, Fausett served Coralville city government in some way for roughly 50 years. He died at Mercy Hospital in Iowa City, according to his obituary.

His funeral is scheduled for 10:30 a.m. Tuesday at the Coralville Center for the Performing Arts, 1301 Fifth St., which houses the Jim L. Fausett Theater, named in his honor. Visitation is planned from 3 to 6 p.m. Monday at Coralville United Methodist Church, 806 13th Ave.

Fausett is to receive military honors at his burial at Oak Hill Cemetery.

Current Coralville Mayor John Lundell said Fausett served during the Korean War.

Lundell added that for him, Fausett, who was also his next-door neighbor at one time, was a 'tremendous mentor.” Lundell served for a decade on the Coralville City Council while Fausett was mayor.

'He was just a man of such high integrity and a friend to everyone. Nobody ever had a bad thing to say about Jim. He'd walk in a room and just make people smile and just had that natural sort of born leadership skills that he used so well serving the Coralville community,” Lundell said.

During the 2008 flood, Lundell said Fausett had long days and nights assessing damage and talking with federal and state leaders to get aid. Fausett also called an emergency meeting of the City Council at 9 p.m. each night during the worst of the flooding.

Lundell said Fausett was 'admired and respected by his peers around the state.”

Alan Kemp, executive director of the Iowa League of Cities, said Fausett had a long tenure with the league, including serving as an officer, president-elect, president and past president.

Kemp said that often when a new mayor was elected, Fausett reached out to them individually to offer congratulations and ask if he could offer any assistance.

'I'm going to guess that the energy that he brought to being mayor and getting things done in Coralville, he really just also put into the league for all cities in Iowa,” said Kemp. 'And he always had such a great attitude with everything that he did. He was friendly, outgoing, made it fun.

'He really was just a joy to work with.”

Lundell said Fausett's legacy isn't difficult to spot in Coralville.

'You just have to look around and see the incredible growth and economic development and improved city services that have occurred while Jim was leading our community,” Lundell said. 'He's had a huge impact on the city of Coralville.”

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