Hoyt, James S. 'Jim'

James S. “Jim” Hoyt, 63, lifetime resident of Oxford, died Thursday, Oct. 4, 2012, at Lantern Park Nursing & Rehab Center in Coralville. In November of last year Jim moved from his home in Oxford to Walden Place in Iowa City, where he resided until moving to Lantern Park three weeks ago. At Walden Place Jim developed many strong friendships which he cherished. Jim's family sincerely appreciates all those who shared with Jim while at Walden Place.

Funeral services will be held at 10 a.m. Monday, Oct. 8, at St. Mary's Catholic Church in Oxford, with burial to follow at Mount Calvary Cemetery in Oxford. Visitation will be from 2 to 4 p.m. Sunday at the Oxford Chapel of Gay & Ciha Funeral Service.

James Stephen Hoyt was born Feb. 11, 1949, in Iowa City, the son of James F. and Doris M (Hipp) Hoyt. He attended Oxford Schools, graduating with the class of 1968. In 1969, he was drafted to serve in the U.S. Army during Vietnam. Returning from service, he settled back in Oxford, where for many years he owned and operated Jim's Body Shop. In later years he had worked for Quality Care of Coralville.

Jim was a member of St. Mary's Catholic Church and the American Legion, both in Oxford. He was a simple man who enjoyed the simple things in life. His passion was cars, whether fixing them in his shop or putting small models together. He also collected miniature train sets and was most proud to display them! Jim enjoyed fishing and watching movies. Most of all he loved family gatherings with his folks, all of his siblings and their families; he enjoyed being their Uncle Jim!

His family includes his brothers, Richard “John” Hoyt, Thomas (Susan) Hoyt and Michael (Nancy) Hoyt; his sisters, Theresa (Eric) Stewart and Patricia (John) Hatcher; 11 nieces and nephews, Heather (Jess) Bergantzel, Jeremy (Megan) Hoyt, Ryan (Emily) Hoyt, Jessica Hoyt, Amber Hoyt, Sara (Jeremiah) Herdliska, Chad (Nikki) Stewart, Kate Stewart (Mike Coon), Joshua (Debbie) Stewart, Jacob (Meredith) Stewart and Kaitlin Hatcher; and great-nieces and great-nephews, Maddlyn Hoyt, Jake, Kayla and Allison Herdliska and Scarlett Stewart.

Jim was preceded in death by his parents, Jim and Doris; great-nephew, Harrison Hatcher; great-niece, Jade Hoyt-MacIntosh; and numerous aunts and uncles.

Instead of flowers, memorial donations may be made in Jim's memory to the Iowa City VA Health Care System or Care Initiative Hospice.

Online condolences may be sent for his family through the Web at www.gayandciha.com.

Gay & Ciha Funeral and Cremation Service is caring for Jim's family and his services.

Published Oct. 6, 2012 in The Gazette