Hastings, James

James Hastings, 72, of Waterloo, died Tuesday, Nov. 10, 2009, at University of Iowa Hospitals and Clinics, Iowa City. Services will be 10:30 a.m. Saturday at Sacred Heart Catholic Church, Waterloo, with full military rites conducted by Waterloo AMVETS Post 19 and Evansdale AMVETS Post 31. Public visitation will be from 4 to 8 p.m. today at Hagarty-Waychoff-Grarup Funeral Service on South Street in Waterloo. Visitation will continue at the church for an hour before services.

Survivors include his wife; his children, Cindy (Bob) Mews and Mike (Tammy) Hastings, both of Waterloo, Greg Hastings (Lacey) of Cedar Rapids, Michelle (Jeff) Wilson of Hudson and Matt (Holly) Hastings of Marion; his grandchildren, Nikki Hastings, Dani Hastings, Megan Wilson, Blake Hastings, Rachael Mews, Ashton Hastings, Quin Hastings, Kamron Wilson, AnnMarie Mews and Brieanna Hastings; a brother, Jack (Rox) Hastings of Roseville, Minn.; and two sisters, Jean (Al) Ragg of Henderson, Nev., and Merle (Tom) Howe of Waterloo.

He was preceded in death by his parents.

He was born Feb. 20, 1937, in Elma, son of Wallace and Marie Fitzgerald Hastings. He married Patricia Kerr on Sept. 19, 1959, in Waterloo. Mr. Hastings attended Sacred Heart School and was a veteran of the U.S. Air Force. He was employed with John Deere Waterloo Tractor Works for 32 years, retiring in 1994. Following his retirement he enjoyed wintering and working at the KOA Campground in the Florida Keys. He enjoyed spending time with his family, camping, boating and fishing with his kids. He had many football trips, watching the Colts, Hawkeyes, Cyclones and Panthers. He loved to have a couple of cold ones.

It has been said the measure of a great man is by the number of friends he has. His number of friends couldn't be calculated.

Memorials may be directed to the family.

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