James D. (Jim) Gillaspey, Jr.

On November 10, 2022, James D. (Jim) Gillaspey, Jr.,  a quiet but gracious member of his family and community passed away unexpectedly.

Jim was born on November 23, 1951, in Leon, IA. He was the first child of his proud parents, J. Donald and Alta B. Gillaspey. He attended schools in Lamoni and obtained a Bachelor of Arts degree in Economics from Graceland University in 1974.

He was baptized at an early age to become a member of the Community of Christ church.

After working for a short time in Kansas City, he began a long career of over 30 years  as a Labor Market Research Economist for the Iowa Workforce Development, Research and Information Services Division where he retired in 2012.

Early in life, he was an avid fisherman and enjoyed sports, even playing briefly on basketball and football teams.  He also learned to play the clarinet.

Also, Jim-along with his siblings--became avid bird watchers. Through his father and others in the Lamoni community, they each came to thoroughly enjoy the sounds and beauty of the bird world.

He enjoyed growing up on the family farm and took the lead in helping his father with that operation-his interest in agriculture was extended with his membership and activity in FFA (Future Farmers of America) as a teenager where he raised a set of lambs.

While in West Des Moines, he moved into a newly built condo development where he lived until his passing.  There he made friends with and supported that community in his own way, developing solid friendships with neighbors and serving as an active member of the condo association's board.

He was always helpful in so many ways to his siblings, helping them in their many (!!) moves.

Jim never married, but was a proud and happy bachelor during all his days.

Jim was preceded in death by his father, Donald, his mother, Alta, and his younger brother, David. He is survived by his sister, Diana, and his brother Bill and Bill's wife, Anita; by nephews Matt and Joshua; by nieces Lauren and Julia, and by many cousins.

The family will thankfully receive your support through greeting cards and memorials in Jim's memory which may be mailed to Simplify Cremations & Funerals, 4821 SW 9th Street, Des Moines, IA 50315,  Attn. James Gillaspey Family, and will be distributed to the family for Jim's desired memorial.

Simplify Cremations & Funerals Iowa, Des Moines, IA. is in care of the arrangements.