James "Jim" Lee Poppinga

James Lee Poppinga, 73, passed away on March 4, 2024, in Des Moines, Iowa due to cardiac arrest. A graveside with military honors conducted by the United States Air Force will take place at 2:00 p.m. on Tuesday, March 12, 2024, at the Dallas Cemetery in Melcher-Dallas, Iowa. Memorials in Jim’s name may be directed to the Melcher-Dallas Fire Department.

Jim was born in Pleasantville, Iowa on November 9, 1950, to Charles and Sylvia (Bennett) Poppinga. Jim graduated from Melcher-Dallas High School in 1969 and attended Iowa State University where he pursued a major in horticulture. Avoiding the draft, Jim joined the Air Force. He served in Southeast Asia during the Vietnam War and then was stationed at Fort Mead, Maryland.

Following his time in the service, Jim worked for Baltimore Washington International Airport as a contract manager. He was a lover of nature and horticulture. Jim was a very well-read person, immersing himself in countless books over the years. He would read about anything that interested him, giving him diverse knowledge on a variety of subjects. Jim was a “tell it like it is” kind of person. He had no problem speaking his mind on an array of topics. Jim still managed to keep an enthusiastic sense of humor and was always fond of a good joke. 

Jim is survived by his sister, Katherine (Daniel) Ripperger; nephew, James Ripperger; niece, Katie Ripperger; and brother, David Poppinga.

Jim was preceded in death by his parents, and a sister in-law, Penny Poppinga.