Brian Lee James, 65, formerly of West Liberty passed away Wednesday, August 2, 2023 at Oldorf Hospice House of Mercy in Hiawatha.
Funeral services will be held 10:00 A.M. Tuesday, August 8, 2023 at the First Church United, West Liberty. Visitation will be 5 to 8 P.M. Monday at the Henderson-Barker Funeral Home in West Liberty.
Burial will be in the Ridgewood Cemetery, North Liberty.
Memorials may be made Oldorf Hospice House of Mercy.
Brian was born February 23, 1958 in Iowa City, Iowa the son of L. Chad and Corrine (Brown) James. He was a graduate of West Liberty High School in 1976, later receiving he BA from the University of Plattville in Ag Economics and his M.A. in Public Administration from the University of Iowa. He was united in marriage to the former Bonnie Barnhill June 20, 1980 in West Liberty.
In his early years Brian had farmed with his father, later serving as a City Manager in Pocahontas, West Branch, Knoxville, North Liberty and Oskaloosa. Following his retirement Brian and Bonnie purchased and are operating Zuber’s Homestead Hotel in Homestead, Iowa. He was an avid fan of the Iowa Hawkeye’s and Dallas Cowboys.
He is survived by his wife Bonnie of Swisher, two children: Tyler (Kimberly) James of West Des Moines, Iowa and Jaclyn (Eric) Ostrem of Ankeny as well as three grandchildren: Ada and Miles James and Aspyn Ostrem. He was preceded in death by his parents and a brother Craig James.