Tony Mark James

Tony James passed away on November 13, 2021 at Kansas City Hospice House in Kansas City, Missouri.

Tony Mark James, the son of E.F. “Pete” and Ruth (Wikert) James was born on February 19, 1950, in Estherville, Iowa.  He was reunited with beloved family members on Saturday, November 13, 2021, at Kansas City Hospice House in Kansas City, Missouri at the age of 71.

He received his education in the Graettinger Iowa public schools, graduating from Graettinger High School in 1968.  During high school, he played football and basketball.  He also ran the teen dances for several years in Graettinger and at Lake Okoboji.  Tony attended the University of South Dakota graduating in 1972 with a degree in business administration.  In 1975 he earned his Certified Public Accountant certification.  While at USD, he was a member of Tau Kappa Epsilon Fraternity and served as the social chairman.  He was also a member of the Dakotans.  During college, he joined the United States Army through the ROTC program and was commissioned a Second Lieutenant in the spring of 1972.  He ended his military service as a Captain.

On December 30, 1972, he was united in marriage to Donna Rice at First United Methodist Church in Iowa City, Iowa.  The couple lived in Iowa City, Iowa where Tony worked for Peat Marwick Mitchell Co. in Cedar Rapids. Tony and Donna moved to Des Moines, Iowa, and finally to Altoona, Iowa.  During his career, he worked for Helena Chemical Company, Hockenbergs, Eagle Iron Works where he was Treasurer, and Rees Associates.  In 1985, he became a father to his daughter, Heather.  He was completely devoted to her and never missed a dance practice, dance competition, swim meet, or show choir competition.  He volunteered as a swim timer at every meet and served as the treasurer for the show choir.  He rediscovered his days as fraternity social chair when his daughter was in college as he made friends at tailgates and during all college functions.  You could find him playing games, laughing, and dancing.  He enjoyed traveling to Estes Park, Colorado and hiking in the Rocky Mountains.  He also loved visiting Disney World with his family.  In September 2018 he became a grandpa and assumed his favorite role as “Papa”.

Left to cherish Tony’s memory are his wife, Donna; his daughter, Heather, and son-in-law, Andrew; and grandson, Henry. Remembering his memory are also his nieces and nephew, Alison Meester, Chelsea McNally, and Kipp James;  sister-in-law Shirley Murphy, and brother-in-law, Steve; and nephew Tim.

He was preceded in death by his parents and brother, Randy.

In lieu of flowers, memorials in Tony’s honor may be given to The Rabbit Hole KC or the TKE  Foundation .