Atherton, James L.

James L. Atherton of Cedar Rapids, passed away Sunday, Dec. 11, 2011, at his home at Cottage Grove Place at the age of 84. Visitation will be held beginning at noon Saturday, Dec. 17, at The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints First Ward located at 4300 Trail Ridge Rd. SE in Cedar Rapids. The memorial service will follow at 1 p.m. A 2 p.m. reception with military rites follows at Cottage Grove Place located at 2115 First Ave. SE, Cedar Rapids.

James was born in Cedar Rapids, Iowa, on July 12, 1927, son of Ralph E. Atherton and Inez Schrader Tessman Atherton. James joined the U.S. Navy and while attending electronics school received a fleet appointment to the U.S. Naval Academy, but at the end of World War II chose to attend Iowa State University, were he graduated with a B.S. in Mechanical Engineering and Dairy Science. He was a member of Pi Tau Sigma, Phi Kappa Psi and Alpha Phi Omega fraternities.

He was married to Barbara Hart Butterfield on Sept. 2, 1950, she passed on Sept. 5, 2005. On Sept. 20 2008, he married Skippy Bell who he met at Cottage Grove Place.

James was active in football, basketball, track, band and the math club. He loved hunting, fishing, camping and spending time influencing his children and grandchildren. He was a lifelong supporter of the Boy Scouts, where he received his Eagle Scout and served as chairman of the Potawatomi BSA counsel. He was active in the Rotary Club, having served three terms as president for two chapters.

In August 1951, he took a job with Carnation Company as a management trainee for the Evaporated Milk Division and after 40 years service, retired having become the superintendent of the Instant Products Division.

James is survived by his wife, Skippy Bell Atherton; his brother, Paul Atherton (Susan); and his four children, Diane Manglani (Roger), Cindy Fortmann (Donald), and Douglas (Venita) and David (Laura) Atherton.

He also leaves behind three stepchildren, Dana McManus (Dr. John), Jim (Jo) and John Bell; and seven grandchildren, Brian and Christopher Fortmann, Erica Manglani, Jessica, Kristen and Scott Atherton and Karthar Galanti, two stepgrandchildren. Heather and Luke McManus; and one stepgreat-grandchild, Ellie Jacobs.

He was preceded in death by his wife, Barbara; and his parents, Ralph and Inez Atherton.

Memorials may be sent in his name to Boy Scouts of America Hawkeye Council, 660 32nd Ave. SW, Cedar Rapids, IA 52402

Messages, tributes or memories may be posted at .

Published in The Gazette Dec. 15, 2011.