James “Jim” Rich

James “Jim” Rich

Washington

James “Jim” Rich, 92, of Washington, Iowa, died Thursday, October 27, 2022, at the University of Iowa Hospital.

The family will be present to receive family and friends from 1:00 p.m. until 2:30 p.m. on Friday, November 4, 2022, at the Jones & Eden Funeral Home. Private family memorial services will be held at a later time. In lieu of flowers, memorials have been established for Hospice of Washington County. Online condolences may be sent for Jim’s family through the web at www.jonesfh.com.

Jim was born August 3, 1930, in Washington, Iowa, the son of Edwin and Lucy (Casey) Rich. Lucy always said “It was the hottest day of the year!” Jim attended St. James School, went to West Chester schools for one year, and graduated from Washington High School in 1948. He left West Chester so he could play for the Washington Demon High School football team. He was the “smallest” back-fielder on his team weighing 120 pounds. He was nick-named, “Rabbit Rich” because of his size and speed.

Jim married his high school sweetheart, Joan Siegle, on June 7, 1950, in Washington, Iowa. They celebrated their 72nd wedding anniversary this year. From this marriage they had five children: Mike, Peggy, Linda, Tim and Nancy. From these children they had 12 grandchildren and 20 great-grandchildren.

Jim was in the poultry business for over 40 years. He served as President of the United Egg Producers, President of the Midwest Egg Producers and President of the Iowa Egg Council. Jim was an employee of Yoder Feeds where he was Vice President and manager of Country Lane Eggs. He was the owner and operator of JR Technology which he and Joan operated out of their home.

Jim always said his “hobby” was working! He had no idea what retirement meant! He loved to putter, mow his beautiful lawn (often), and spend winters in Orange Beach, Alabama, but his favorite pastime was spending quality time with his family and friends. He always told his grandkids, “It never hurts to bend an old man’s ear.” Jim was that “wise old man and often they did “bend his ear.”

He is survived by his wife, Joan Rich of Washington, Iowa; daughter, Peggy Witthoft of Cedar Falls, Iowa; daughter, Linda (Denny) Drish of Washington, Iowa; son, Tim Rich of New Mexico; daughter, Nancy Bisbey of Washington, Iowa; 12 grandchildren and 20 great-grandchildren. He is also survived by his nieces and nephews, cousins, Godchild, Jolisa (Rich) Weidner, very good friends, Sid and Donna Manfull, Jim Hayes and his many Orange Beach, Alabama “family.”

Jim was preceded in death by his parents, Ed and Lucy Rich; son, Mike Rich; grandson, Dustin Dean Iwanowski; son-in-laws, Gary Witthoft and Scott Bisbey; and one brother, Donald Rich and wife, Marj.