MONTOUR-James Harry Packer, age 77, of Montour, died on Friday, November 9, 2007 at Sunny Hill Care Center in Tama due to a lengthy illness. Graveside Services will be Wednesday, November 14, 2007 at 11 AM at Maple Hill Cemetery in Montour with David Shearer of Marshalltown Church of Christ officiating. Visitation will be Tuesday, November 13, 2007 from 6-8 PM at Kruse-Phillips Funeral Home in Tama.
James H. Packer was born on June 11, 1930, in rural Union, Iowa, the son of Fred and Minnie (Hilsabeck) Packer.
He attended Marshalltown High School. James enlisted in the U.S. Air Force in 1951 where he received his GED.
On April 10, 1951, he was united in marriage to Thelma Rae Dutton in Marshalltown, Iowa. He re-enlisted in the U.S. Air Force in 1953 and retired in 1974 as a Tech Sergeant. After retiring from the military, they made their home in Montour and he worked for Tama County. He retired from the County in 1992.
James was a member of the Central Iowa Coon Hunters Association, the American Legion, and the NRA. His hobbies included hunting and fishing.
James moved to Sunny Hill Care Center in April of 2007.
Preceding him in death were his parents; his wife, Thelma; one brother; one sister; and one sister-in-law.
Survivors include his children, Patricia Packer of Marshalltown, Robin (Keith) Gruchow of Marshalltown and Jay (Marlene) Packer of Tama; six grandchildren, Joseph Bramon, Stephanie Bramon, and C.J. Bramon of Marshalltown, Jessica Bramon of Mason City, T.J. Packer and Ben Packer of Tama; one great-grandson, Andy Bramon of Marshalltown; two brothers, Alan (Verna) Packer of Arlington, WA, and Sam Curry of Tama; two sisters-in-law, Colleen Dutton of LeGrand and Pauline (Donovan) White of Kernersville, NC; and one brother-in-law, Verle Dutton of Tama.
A memorial fund has been established.