Rusty A James

Rusty A. James passed away on Wednesday, June 10th at MercyOne Des Moines Medical Center. He was 60. He was born January 2, 1960 in Newton, Iowa to Rodger K. and Rose Ruple James, also of Newton. 

He and his family lived in Long Beach, California from 1963 until returning to Newton in 1969. Rusty served in the United States Marine Corps as a teen, after which he began a life-long and illustrious career as a guitarist and professional musician. Also a master carpenter, Rusty built his own very successful contracting company in Denver, Colorado, where he resided for most of his adult life until returning to Newton to assist his mother in 2016. 

In Denver, he raised a daughter, Emma Katherine James, who now resides in Dorset, Vermont, and who deeply mourns his loss. Rusty was a beloved and devoted father whose love for his daughter was the focus of his life. He was immensely proud of her, and always sought to give her the best of everything, especially by passing along some of his many skills to her and bringing her to experiences that helped to broaden her enjoyment of life.

He is survived also by his mother, Rose Ruple James of Newton, two brothers, Marty of Las Vegas, Nevada, and wife Margaret, and Shawn of Newton, Iowa, and wife Joyce. Rusty has numerous extended family of nephews, cousins, and others. He was preceded in death by his father and his sister Lorie L. James, of Newton.

A memorial service will be held at 4 p.m., Wednesday, June 24, at Cornerstone Bible Fellowship in Newton. The Wallace Family Funeral Home and Crematory is handling the arrangements.

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