James A Brody

James Aaron Brody, 92, of Waterloo, died Friday, January 29, 2021, at Lakeview Landing of Friendship Village. Jim was born October 27, 1928, in Waterloo, the son of Condon Leo and Pearl Josephine Rose Brody. He graduated from Waterloo East High School and Gates Business College.

Jim served in the United States Army during World War II in Japan. He met Norma Hanson at Gates Business College. She dropped her pencil and Jim picked it up. They were married August 31, 1950, at the Little Brown Church in the Vale in Nashua. She died September 19, 2019. Jim and Norma were soulmates and sweethearts.

Jim started as a milk man for Carnation Dairy. He was the Treasurer for a credit union operating out of their basement before becoming Deputy to the Commissioner of the State Credit Union Division. Jim was a gentle and forgiving man, though true to his Irish heritage he could be stubborn. He was very talented, able to play the piano or guitar by ear. He was a woodworker and talented fast pitch softball pitcher, a skill he learned in Japan. Jim and his father were the first father and son members of the bowling 700 Club in Waterloo.

He was a member of Central Christian Church (Disciples of Christ) and Ankeny Christian Church during his years in Ankeny.

Jim is survived by his four children: Rebecca (Jack) Hiatt of Waterloo, Emmet (Becky) Brody of West Des Moines, Cal (Ardelle) Brody of Denver, and Ann (Charles) Gander of Waterloo; 10 grandchildren: Jenny (Kurt) Boevers‚ Jack Hiatt‚ Heather Brody‚ Amy (Matt) Spinler‚ Dave (Jess) Hansen‚ Holly (Kyle) Matthias‚ Vanessa Brody‚ Heidi (Aaron) Homan‚ Aaron Brody‚ and Laura (Cliff) Carlson; 30 great grandchildren; and his sister, Connie (LaVerne) Drewes of Waterloo.

He is preceded in death by his parents; his wife, Norma; and brothers, Jack and Joe.