James (“Jim”) Dennis Jess

James (“Jim”) Dennis Jess, age 82, died unexpectedly in Honolulu, HI on February 8, 2025. While Jim’s family mourns his sudden loss, they are comforted in knowing he had recently shared many happy weeks in his favorite place with his immediate family and siblings.  Jim was born in Denison, Iowa on July 6, 1942, as the second of five children born to Harwin and Dorothy Jess.  Jim graduated from Charter Oak High School in 1960 and received his BA in teaching from Morningside College in 1964.  He later went on to complete several years of graduate school at Drake University receiving his Master’s Degree in 1970, Specialist in Education Degree in 1973 and his Doctorate in Education in 1977. 

Jim served in the Iowa National Guard from 1964-1970.  He was in the US Army and was a Vietnam Veteran with active duty in Vietnam from 1968-1969.  

Jim met and married his wife of 53 years, Janice Retherford, in 1964.  They spent several years teaching together at various schools in Iowa before Jim became a superintendent and they moved to Alexander in 1973.  They later moved to Latimer in 1979—a place they called home for over twenty years.  Their union brought one daughter, Danielle, who was one of Jim’s greatest sources of pride and joy.  Jim was active in his church and served as a church council member and Sunday School teacher.  He was also active in local county politics and spent much of his free time keeping his yard perfectly manicured.  Jim enjoyed having a home across the street from the golf course, and while not an avid golfer himself, he spent many nights indulging his daughter’s love of the game by playing a round with her.

A lifelong educator, Jim served several Iowa public school districts in a variety of capacities over his 35-year career.  He was a school administrator for nearly 30 years serving as superintendent for the CAL Community School District in Latimer for most of those years; while also serving as superintendent for the Alden and Dows School Districts in a shared capacity.  He became superintendent of the much larger Cecil County, Maryland School District for a year before deciding rural Iowa was where his heart was.  Jim believed passionately about the value of rural public schools and served as President of the National Rural Education Association and was a training consultant for the US Department of Education.  Jim received numerous regional Superintendent of the Year awards and was a finalist for Iowa School Superintendent of the Year.   While Superintendent at CAL, Jim was extremely proud that both the high school and elementary school received the US Department of Education’s Blue Ribbon School award.  

Following his retirement in 2001, Jim and Jan moved to West Des Moines to be closer to their daughter and eventually, their two grandchildren, who were the apple of Jim’s eye.  Jim kept busy during retirement working for the United Way of Central Iowa, giving tours at the Iowa State Capitol and being an active member at Lutheran Church of Hope.  Jim and Jan also enjoyed traveling and spending much of their summers at their condo in Clear Lake.  After Jan passed away in 2018, Jim spent time traveling to Europe with his brother and sister, wintering in Hawaii, and playing cards with friends when he was home in West Des Moines.  He also had a great appreciation for the arts and enjoyed season tickets for nearly twenty years at the Des Moines Civic Center.   However, Jim’s greatest love was his family, especially his daughter and grandchildren.  He was their biggest fan and always called to congratulate them on any success, no matter how small.  He rarely missed an activity, performance or special event and he loved his weekly Sunday evening dinners with his daughter, son-in-law and their family.  Jim also enjoyed the occasions when his entire extended family could get together for the holidays and other events and activities. 

Jim is preceded in death by his wife, parents, sister Jacquline Powell, sister Jennifer Jess, brother-in-law Maury (Linne) Hines, and brother-in-law Kirwin Powell.  He is survived by his daughter, Danielle Haindfield, son-in-law Matthew Haindfield, sister, Judith Hines, brother, Joel (Tammy) Jess, grandchildren Taylor and Brooke Haindfield, as well as many nieces, nephews and cousins.  

Visitation will be 5-7 PM, Thursday, February 20, 2025, at Iles Dunn’s Chapel, 2121 Grand Avenue.  Funeral service will be 10 AM Friday, February 21, 2025, at Lutheran Church of Hope in West Des Moines, with a private family burial in Memorial Park Cemetery, Sioux City, Iowa.  The funeral service will be livestreamed and recorded.  The link will be available at https://wdm.lutheranchurchofhope.org/funeral-livestream/ on the service day.

In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to the Des Moines Performing Arts, Drake University College of Education or the Waukee Community Schools Foundation.

Online condolences may be expressed at www.ilesFuneralHomes.com