James Tisdale

James M. Tisdale, 93, died after a long illness at Mercy Hallmar in Cedar Rapids on February 21, 2019. A memorial service will be held March 7, 2019, at 2:00 p.m. at Echo Hill Presbyterian Church followed by a visitation with family and friends in Fellowship Hall. Jim was born in Cedar Rapids to Owen and Eleanor (Clements) Tisdale. He spent his early life in Cedar Rapids until his father was transferred to Marshalltown in 1940, where Jim attended high school. Upon graduation in 1943, he enlisted in the U.S. Army and served until 1946. He earned a Bachelor of Arts degree in Journalism in 1950 from Coe College, Cedar Rapids. On August 28, 1949, Jim married Jeanne Olson. He worked for Iowa Electric Company in DeWitt, Atlantic, and Clarinda until the mid-60's when he joined the fundraising staff at Coe College. In the mid 70's, he joined St. Luke's Hospital as Director of Fundraising and Public Relations. Later, he founded his own company, James M. Tisdale and Associates, serving smaller hospitals in the mid-west, retiring in 1987. Jim and Jeanne had four children. Jeanne passed away from cancer on January 28, 1990. As a youth, Jim was one of the original members of the Cub Scouts at First Congregational Church, and a member of the Boy Scouts. He was assistant director of Camp Waubeek while attending Coe College, and later headed the Scouts' Kee-Bu-Aw Indian Dancers. He served as Scout Master for troops in DeWitt, Atlantic, and Clarinda. Music was an integral part of Jim's life. He sang in youth church choirs, and continued choir and solo activities as an adult. Jim was a deacon and trustee for Kenwood Park Presbyterian Church. He was one of the original members and past president of the Cedar Rapids Literary Club, a member of Bowman Woods Gourmet Club, and served on the Board of Trustees for Geneva Towers. Jim served Lions International in many capacities throughout his adult life including Secretary-Treasurer for his local club. In 1994, he was awarded Lion of the Year, later receiving the Warren Coleman Honorary Award from the Lions Clubs of Iowa. On December 22, 1991, Jim married Anneliese (Heider) Gardner at Kenwood Park Presbyterian Church. He and Anneliese enjoyed traveling the United States, Europe, and South America together. A kind, generous, principled, civic minded man, Jim loved being involved with his family, friends, and community. In keeping with his values, Jim's body was donated to the University of Iowa's Deeded Body Program, to aid research. Jim is survived by his wife, Anneliese, children, Gary (Linda) Tisdale, Terri (Patrick) Ferguson, Kirt (Gail) Tisdale, Kent (Peg) Tisdale, Larry (Myong) Gardner, Linda (Gary) Tisdale, and Lorena Potter; seventeen grandchildren; twenty-four great-grandchildren; and sister-in-law, Beverly Tisdale. He was preceded in death by his parents; wife, Jeanne; and brother, John Tisdale. In lieu of flowers, please make contributions in memory of James Tisdale to: The Dementia Society of America www.DementiaSociety.org/donate Lions Club International Foundation www.lionsclub.org/en/donate