Jim Morrison

James Richard Morrison was born on August 29, 1942 in Chariton, Iowa, the fourth child of Hazel Audie Sanders and Lonnie William Morrison. He joined brother Donald William and sisters Betty Lou and Sharon Kay; later additions were John Albert and Lonnie William Jr. Jim grew up in Chariton, attending Alma Clay Elementary and graduating from Chariton High in 1961. After graduation, Jim left for boot camp at Fort Leonard Wood in Missouri with the Army National Guard, and from there to tank training at Fort Knox, Kentucky; earning Sharpshooter, Marksman and Expert badges with firearms. In 1962 Jim was married to Charlene Gwinn, and they were the parents of Victor, born in 1963, Diana born in 1965, Michele born in 1968, and Nicole born in 1970. Jim and Charlene raised their children in Lucas, where Jim was mayor for four years in the 1970's. Jim worked as a Biologist Aide for the Iowa Conservation Commission, and for many years was the lonely Maytag appliance repairman for the Western Auto store on the west side of the square in Chariton. In 1987, Jim and Charlene were divorced and Jim moved to Des Moines, where Jim met and was later married to Deborah Robertson in 1992. Jim worked as a welder at Fawn Engineering, and later as a maintenance man at Crestview Acres in West Des Moines, and was step-dad to Deb's children Susie and Steve Stratemeyer. In 1994 Deb and Jim moved to Phoenix, Arizona for one year, but returned to Des Moines to be near their families. In 1997 Jim joined the staff at Orchard Place in Des Moines as a maintenance man. Deb and Jim bought a small farm in Wayne County in 2002, and moved there in 2003, making the daily trek to Des Moines for their work, until Jim retired in 2006. Later in 2006 Jim was diagnosed with ALS (Lou Gehrig's disease), and peacefully died in his sleep on July 26, 2007 at the age of 64 years. Jim was preceded in death by his parents and his brother, Don. He is survived by his wife Deb, his four children, two step-children, grandchildren Marshall, Mike, Erica, Mary, Jimmy, Brandi, TJ and Macy, and great grand children Dawson, Taylor and Blaklyn. Jim's body was cremated; there will be a private memorial service at a later date. No visitation is planned. In lieu of flowers, please direct your memorials to the Lucas County Humane Society or Hospice of Central Iowa. Pierschbacher Funeral Home and Cremation Services in Chariton are handling the arrangements.