Obituary for James “Jim” Cless Dexter James “Jim” C. Dexter, 77, of Fort Dodge, Iowa, passed away peacefully with family by his side on October 13th, 2018 at the Paula J. Baber Hospice Home after a short battle with cancer. James was born on January 15th, 1941 in Ware, Iowa to James Grant Dexter and Bessie “Ruth” (Trimble) Dexter. He grew up on a farm near Havelock, Iowa.
Jim graduated from Havelock-Plover High School in 1959. He went to Sioux City Barber College, graduating in 1960. He barbered in Ames and Des Moines, Iowa until he was drafted into the US Army in November 1963.
He served in the US Army until November 1965 and was a member of the US Army Reserves for several years. He married Jean Anderson on April 4th, 1965 at Elfsborg Lutheran Church in Pomeroy, Iowa. They had three daughters.
After honorable discharge from the Army, he barbered in Havelock and Pocahontas, Iowa. In 1973, he went to work for the US Postal Service as a letter carrier in Des Moines, Iowa. He continued his postal career after moving to Fort Dodge in 1980.
He became a postmaster in Latimer, Iowa in 1984 and then served as postmaster in Badger, Iowa from 1988 until his retirement in 2009. Jim was a member of the Badger Lions Club, serving as treasurer for several years, and was presented with the Warren Coleman Honorary Award. He was a member of the Grace Lutheran Church in Fort Dodge, Iowa, where he sang in the church choir for 35 years.
He was a member of Lutheran Men in Mission, participated in a small group bible study, and served on several committees. He was also a member of the National Association of Retired Federal Employees and the American Legion. Jim enjoyed camping with his family and traveling.
After retirement, he also enjoyed golfing and spending time with family and friends. He was an avid Iowa Hawkeyes fan. As a Vietnam veteran, he was proud to be selected to participate in the Brushy Creek Honor Flight in May 2016.
Jim is survived by his wife, Jean (Anderson) Dexter; three daughters, Shelly (John) Van Note of Madison, Wisconsin, Brenda (Tracy) Scott of Iowa City, Iowa, and Jody Dexter of Seattle, Washington; three grandchildren, Oliver Van Note, Ella and Olivia Scott; four sisters, Carol McCartan, Mary (Walter) Phillips, Linda (Paul) Abrahamson, and Ruth (John) Starks; brothers-in-law, Curtis Anderson, Dean (Nancy) Anderson, and sister-in-law, Donna Hudson; as well as numerous nieces, nephews, cousins and close friends. Jim was preceded in death by his parents, James G. Dexter and Bessie “Ruth” (Trimble) Dexter. His family would like to extend a special thank you to the wonderful caring staff at Paula J. Baber Hospice Home and the Mayo Clinic.
We will celebrate James’ life on Saturday, October 20th, 2018 at 10:30 AM at Grace Lutheran Church, Fort Dodge, Iowa. Visitation will be on Friday, October 19th, 2018 at Gunderson Funeral Home from 4:00-7:00 PM. Military honors will be presented by V.F.W. Post No.
1856 and the Iowa Army National Guard. In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to the American Cancer Society, Alzheimer’s Association, or Grace Lutheran Church. To send flowers or a memorial gift to the family of James “Jim” Cless Dexter please visit our Sympathy Store.
Upcoming Events Visitation , OCT 19. 04:00 PM – 07:00 PM Gunderson Funeral Home & Cremation Services 1615 North 15th Street Fort Dodge, IA, US, 50501 www. gundersonfuneralhome.com/ Order Flowers for the Visitation Guaranteed delivery before James “Jim” ‘s Visitation begins.
Celebration Of Life , OCT 20. 10:30 AM Grace Lutheran Church 211 South 9th Street Fort Dodge, IA, US, 50501 Order Flowers for the Celebration Of Life Guaranteed delivery before James “Jim” ‘s Celebration Of Life begins.
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