James Fredrick Minton

On June 28, 1942, James Fredrick Minton was born in Lansing, Illinois to John and Clara Minton. He attended Calumet High School where he was a cross country runner for 4 years. He also was a part of the marching band. Reading music notes was a challenge for him, and he loved to tell the story of how he triumphed over that. He memorized the positions for his trombone, wrote them on an index card as a cheat sheet, attached it to the bell of his horn, and marched proudly. He later taught himself to play the bass guitar, strictly by ear. Music was a big part of his life. After graduation in 1962, he was an Iron worker until he left for Bible College. He attended North Central Bible College in Minneapolis, MN where he met his wife Sharon. They married on Feb 5, 1965 and were married for 54 years. In 1966 he accepted a pastorate of a small country church near Evansville, Indiana. Jim loved to write songs. He wrote many songs about Christ’s love and Salvation. He ministered in music along with his wife, with Jim playing the bass guitar and Sharon playing the piano. In 1969 he came to Des Moines, Iowa where he hosted a half hour Christian Radio broadcast on KDMI. They became faithful members of the Gospel Assembly Church, raising their family of 4 children and were very involved in many areas of christian service. In June of 1999 Jim received his diploma from the Urbandale Police Department which completed the training for him to become an Urbandale Reserve Police Officer. In addition, he also worked as Chief of Security for Merle Hay Mall from which he retired in 2001. During his retirement years, his love for others extended out into the community through his volunteer work at the Urbandale Food Pantry. His hobbies were music, hunting, fishing, woodworking, and various projects such as inventing his own version of a snow blade and snowblower. He was a devoted husband and father, working sometimes 3 jobs to provide for his family. When Jim and Sharon were in their 50’s, he was fully supportive of his wife when she wanted to go back to college to finish earning her teaching degree, sacrificing time together so she could pursue her life long dream. He always put others ahead of his own needs and wants. He will be remembered for the loving and selfless person he was and will be truly missed but leaves a wonderful legacy behind. James is survived by the love of his life, Sharon and his 4 children whom he was so proud of, Melody Jepson (Paul) of Charlotte, N.C., Mark Minton of Knoxville, TN, Miriam Qualls (Michael) of West Des Moines, Iowa, Mary Huff (Brian) of Kingsport, TN. He is also survived by 10 grandchildren, Heidi Feagins (Corey), Eric Jepson, Heather Snyder, Merissa Snyder, Tyler Minton, Jasmine Huff, Wesley Huff, Cameron Huff, Natalie Huff, Zoie Huff and 1 great grandchild, Nora Feagins. James is preceded in death by 3 lovely infant grandchildren, Diana Marie Minton, Denise Olivia Minton, and Travis Zachery Minton. Services will be Thursday, September 26, 2019 held at Gospel Assembly Church located at 7135 Meredith Drive, Urbandale, Iowa 50322. Visitation will be at 11:00 a.m. with a service following at 12:00 p.m