James A. Richart, 90, of Wever, died Monday, August 22, 2022, at the Southeast Iowa Regional Medical Center in West Burlington.
Born August 26, 1931, in Vinton, IA, he was the son of Myron M. and Loraine Allen Richart. When James was young, his father was killed in a farming related accident. His devoted mother raised him with the help of his grandparents, Elmo and Myrtle Allen. He graduated from Vinton High School in 1949, where he participated in basketball and football for all four years. On April 28, 1950, he married Margery Lois Wilwerth in La Porte City, IA. She died on May 17, 2017.
James enlisted in the US Marine Corp in January 1950 and served until 1954. He was with the first unit of Marines to serve in the Korean War in August of 1950. Jim was wounded twice and sent back to the US in April of 1951 and stationed in San Diego as a Drill Instructor. He was discharged from service in January of 1954.
After his time in the service, he was employed by Iowa National Mutual Insurance Company in Cedar Rapids until he attended the Police Academy to become an Iowa State Patrolman. Jim was an Iowa State Trooper from 1954 until 1967, serving in Washington and DeWitt, Iowa. Besides his duties as a Trooper, he also taught First Aid and was a D.I. at the Police Academy. He returned to Iowa National Mutual Insurance and later Allied Insurance Company until his retirement in 1996.
Jim was a member of Hamilton Walters Marine Corp League serving as Commander of Troops, The Marine Corps Association, The Marine Corps Heritage & Museum, The Korean War Veterans Association, The Chosin Few, MN and MO Chapters and The Military Order of the Purple Heart. Jim was also a member of Harmony Bible and attended local bible study.
He enjoyed camping, boating, showing his quarter horses, trail riding, traveling with the Hawkeye Area Wrestling Klub and following the Burlington Wrestling Team when his son Mike was the coach. He also enjoyed supporting his children, grandchildren, and great grandchildren with their activities and spending time with them.
Survivors include his four children, Mike (Andrea) Richart of New London, Denice (Jack) Plakke of Holland, MI, Mary (Darren) Delzell, and Karen Burch both of Burlington; nine grandchildren, Kaci (Richard) Ford, Ross (Jessie) Richart, Shawna (Brandon) Massey, Dr. Michael Plakke, Megan (Jake) Glasgow, Carrie (Corey) Campbell, Jaime Brueck, Dillon (Nikki) Burch, and Kara (Luke) Douglas; 22 great-grandchildren and several cousins, nieces & nephews.
Besides his wife, he was preceded in death by his parents, one brother, Kenneth Richart, and daughter-in-law, Debbie Richart.
Cremation has been entrusted to the care of Prugh Crematory.
Visitation will be from 5:00 PM until 7:00 PM with the family to receive friends Wednesday, August 31, 2022 at Prugh~Thielen Funeral Home.
The memorial service for Mr. Richart will be 10:00 AM Thursday, September 1, 2022, at Prugh~Thielen Funeral Home with Pastor Danny Dingus officiating. Full military honors will be rendered by the Hamilton Walters Marine Corp League. A time of food and fellowship will be held in the community room at Prugh~Thielen Funeral Home following the service. Burial will be in Claypoole Cemetery at a later date.
A memorial has been established.
Prugh Funeral Service is in care of the arrangements.
A photo tribute can be viewed and condolences can be sent to the family by visiting James's obituary at www.prughfuneral.com.
