Jim Deforest

James ‘Jim’ DeForest, 78, of Waukee, formerly of Winterset, died July 31, 2017, at Iowa Methodist Medical Center in Des Moines. A memorial gathering will be held from 4:00 to 7:00 p.m., Thursday, August 3, at Ochiltree Funeral Service in Winterset, with family present to receive friends during this time. Memorials may be directed to the Animal Lifeline of Iowa and/or the Madison County Ambulance. Online condolences can be left for the family at ochiltree.com. James Edward DeForest, son of Edward and Esther (Stafford) DeForest, was born March 25, 1939, in West Liberty, Iowa. He graduated from Tipton High School in 1957. Jim was united in marriage with Jo Albaugh on December 27, 1956, in Stanwood, Iowa. For most of his working career, Jim was in agricultural sales, selling seed corn and feed for livestock with several companies. He later worked at Wight and Short, drove bus for the Madison County Public Transport and drove ambulance for Madison County. Jim was a member of the First United Presbyterian Church in Winterset and a Camping Club member. He was active in the Winterset Jaycees and enjoyed performing and volunteering with the Apple Tree Players theater group in Winterset. Jim enjoyed hunting, camping and riding his motorcycle. He was a talented woodworker who liked watching old movies and history programs. Above all else, Jim was a devoted husband, father, grandfather and brother who cherished nothing more than the time spent with his family. Left to cherish his memory are his wife, Jo DeForest of Waukee; children, James DeForest of San Diego, CA; Jan (Sharon) DeForest of Des Moines; Jeff (Debbie) DeForest of Osceola; Joan (Darin) King of Ankeny; six grandchildren; nine great grandchildren with one on the way; and sister, Patricia Farbacher of Glenshaw, PA; extended family and a host of friends. Jim was preceded in death by his parents, Ed DeForest and Esther DeForest Barkhurst.