James Brownell

JAMES BROWNELL

Cedar Rapids

James R. Brownell passed away Monday, May 19, 2014, as a result of heart failure at Meth-Wick Community. Visitation will be held from 4:30 to 6:30 p.m. Thursday, May 22, at Cedar Memorial Park Funeral Home. Services will be held at 10:30 a.m. Friday at First Presbyterian Church, Cedar Rapids. A private graveside service will be held at Cedar Memorial Park Cemetery.

Jim is survived by Dona, his beloved wife of 66 years; son, Bob Brownell and wife Jenna of Clive; daughter, Barbara and husband Kevin Shoemaker of Omaha, Neb.; son, Mark and wife Melody of Ankeny; grandson, Kevin and wife Maria of West Des Moines; grandson, Aaron and wife Litsa; grandson, Benjamin and fiancee Alica Dallman; grandson, Christopher and wife Ferole; granddaughter, Caitlin Shoemaker, all of Omaha, Neb.; great-grandson, Jacob Gerber; two great-granddaughters, Charlotte Shoemaker and Carmen Brownell; and many nieces and nephews in Nebraska, Oregon and Washington.

He was preceded in death by his infant daughter, Catherine Jane; sister, Mildred Marie Bier; brother-in-law, Emil Bier; brother, Vincent; and sister-in-law, Anne.

Jim was born Oct. 8, 1924, in Omaha, to P.L. and Mary Louise (Ellis) Brownell. He grew up in Omaha and attended Omaha South High School, where he was a member of the National Honor Society. He started his college career at age 16 at Omaha University and later transferred to the University of Nebraska, from where he received his

Bachelor of Science degree in electrical engineering in 1948. He was a member of Beta Theta Pi social fraternity and of Sigma Tau honorary engineering fraternity. He was employed for 35 plus years by Collins Radio Company, which later became part of Rockwell International and is now Rockwell Collins. He also served in the U.S. Army, stationed mainly in Japan. On April 9, 1948, he and

Dona Huffman were married in Omaha.

He was a 62-year member of First Presbyterian Church in Cedar Rapids, where he was an elder, served two terms as a member of the Session and two terms as a deacon. He also sang in the choir for many years and did a considerable amount of volunteer work.

Jim was an avid sports fan. His major affection (addiction?) was for the University of Nebraska football team. He reveled in the team's three national championships in the mid-1990s. On the baseball front, he was a fan since childhood of the St. Louis Cardinals. He also loved music of almost all types, symphonic to jazz to big band. He played violin in the high school orchestra. After his retirement, he played saxophone ("pretending to be a musician" as he put it) at various times in several bands, including the Rockwell Band, the Shrine Band, the Dixie Notes Plus, the New Horizons Band, Silvertones Big Band and occasionally with the Marion Big Band.

Jim was a family man, devoted to his "bride," Dona, as he called her to anyone who would listen. He was a man who touched many lives, leaving behind many who loved him. He will be remembered by his wit and wisdom and how deeply he loved us all.

Memorial donations may be directed to First Presbyterian Church and the American Heart Association.

Please leave an online condolence for the family at www.cedarmemorial.

com under Obituaries.