Jim Bogardus

James Lewis Bogardus, 85, of DeSoto, died peacefully at his home on Sunday, December 11, 2022.

A Memorial Service will be held at 11:00 a.m., Saturday, January 7, 2023, at the Calvary Baptist Church in DeSoto.

Jim was born in Kansas City, MO on November 7, 1937. When he was young, his family moved often, living in Davenport, IA; Wichita, KS; Des Moines, IA, and St. Louis Park, MN. When Jim was in the second grade, the family moved back to Des Moines, but Jim and his brother Dick lived with their aunt in Michigan before eventually returning to the family in Des Moines.

Jim attended Bryan Rice School, Callahan Junior High School, and Franklin High School. He played with the golf team and caddied at the Des Moines Golf and Country Club during his youth. He learned to drive a tractor and baled hay. After graduation, Jim attended Des Moines Tech, taking drafting courses. Later, he joined the Solar Aircraft Flying Club and received his pilot’s license. He attended Iowa State for additional classes and then returned to Des Moines to work for Midwest Crete, making architectural panels. He also worked as a drafter. Economy Forms later asked Jim to manage the Seattle office. He returned to Des Moines and attended Grandview College.

On April 22, 1961, Jim started working at Firestone URW Local 310, where he worked for more than 31 years. After his retirement, he worked for R&D Engineering for three years and Parmar Securities as a night guard for two years. In 1998, he worked part-time at Archer’s Home Center.

For more than 50 years, Jim was a member of the Masons. He was also a member of the National Guard for six years and participated in Civil Air Patrol Drill Team, although not officially as he was too young.

On May 7, 1980, he was united into marriage to Wanda Christensen, and they were married for 42 years at the time of his passing.

He was preceded in death by his parents, James Lewis and Blanche (Brinkman) Bogardus, and his brother, Richard D. Bogardus. He is survived by his wife Wanda, her children and their families, and many friends. Jim never knew a stranger.