James Delay

JAMES JOSEPH DELAY

Cedar Rapids

James Joseph Delay, 74,

of Cedar Rapids, passed away Thursday, June 30, 2016, at the Dennis & Donna Oldorf Hospice House in Hiawatha, surrounded by loving friends and family, after a long illness.

Jim is survived by his wife, Sandy; children, Terry Delay, Rodney (Shela) Delay and Lisa Marie Parsons, all of Cedar Rapids; and two stepdaughters, Sherry Brustkern (Gordon Baker) of Cedar Rapids and Deanna (Rob) McNamer of Dubuque. Jim is also survived by six grandchildren, James (Tiffany), Kyle (Megan), Natasha (Derek), Zach and two others; six stepgrandchildren, Steve (Nicole), Lee Ray (Roseann), Alicia, Amanda (Ryan), Jesse and Tanner; four great-grandchildren; four step-great-grandchildren, Eden, Connor, Areanna and Eleanor. Also surviving are Jim's loving sister, Donna (Steve) McRobbie of Orlando, Fla.; and very special family and friends, Teri (Denny) Kauffman, Pat (Stacy) Pechman and Deb McKernan; plus many nieces, nephews and cousins.

Jim was born with the birth name of Terry Frances Finnegan on Aug. 16, 1941, in Prairie Du Chien, Wis., to Marie Finnegan and Joseph Kasparek. He was adopted at the age of 6 months by Joseph and Mable Delay of rural Monticello. He went to country school, then graduated from Sacred Heart in Monticello in 1960, while spending quality time growing up with cousins Leo, Bill, Lorraine and Jerry.

Jim married Donna Casteel in 1962. Children from this marriage are Terry, Rodney and Lisa Marie. He farmed in the Castle Grove area until 1973. At that point, they moved to Cedar Rapids. Jim also worked for General Mills, Burd Concrete, Purolater Courier and APAC.

Jim remarried in 1989 to Sandra K. Brustkern. Jim enjoyed many hobbies, including his NASCAR racing, model trains, country music, his love of "Bonanza" and family TV shows from the 50s and 60s. Jim was usually found on his computer traveling somewhere or doing genealogy research. He was always willing to help family in any way he could. Jim always treasured both the NASCAR trip to Daytona and the big fishing trip with Rod. Jim was a member of Noelridge Christian Church, where he had served as the treasurer.

Jim was preceded in death by both sets of parents; his faithful companion, his Sheltie, Rascal; and a praying angel, Barbara Roberts.

In 1998, Jim was blessed to be the recipient of the ultimate gift of life, a donor heart through the Iowa Donor Network. Forever in our hearts we will carry gratitude for the family of Franklin DeShaw, who gave their loved one's heart to save a stranger, our Jim.

The family would like to thank the health professionals at area hospitals for their compassionate care of Jim during his illness over the years. The University of Iowa heart transplant team gave us an extra 17 years with Jim, for which we are very grateful. Jim was a fighter against all of his health issues to the very end.

Visitation will be held from 5 to 7 p.m. Tuesday, July 5, at Cedar Memorial Park Funeral Home. Funeral services at 11 a.m. Wednesday, July 6, at Noelridge Christian Church, 7111 C Ave. NE, Cedar Rapids, with a visitation one hour before.

In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to the Iowa Donor Network, Mercy Hospice House, Noelridge Christian Church or Catholic Charities.

Online condolences may be directed to the family at www.cedarmemorial.com under Obituaries.