James Andrew Mayer, 94

James Andrew Mayer, 94, formerly of Cedar Rapids, died Saturday, November 16, at Pioneer Park Care Center in Lone Tree. According to Jim’s wishes, he donated his body to science and there will be no formal memorial service.

Jim Mayer was born on September 24, 1930, in Clarksville, Iowa, to George and Clara (Lubben) Mayer. He graduated from Clarksville High School in 1948. He became the first member of his family to attend college, graduating from the University of Iowa in 1952 with a degree in journalism. He then served two years active duty in the Air Force at Wright-Patterson Air Force Base in Ohio as a technical writer.

In 1953 he married Marjorie Nettleton from Greene, Iowa, whom he met when they were both 4-H club presidents in Butler County. In 1954 he became editor of the Pioneer Republican in Marengo, Iowa. His wife Marge taught school at Iowa Valley Elementary, and all four of his children were born in Marengo. From 1968 to 1978 he was editor and publisher of the Anamosa Journal and Eureka. He also wrote a weekly column, the JAM session, at both newspapers for more than 25 years. In 1978 Jim became the outdoor editor and assistant state editor at the Cedar Rapids Gazette, until his retirement in 1993.

He is survived by Marge, his wife of 71 years, two daughters, April Acton (Patrick), Gladbrook, and Melody Brenneman, Nichols; two sons, Kelly, San Antonio, TX, and Brant (Mary Hurley), LaCrosse, WI; his sister Carole Hoffman; Cedar Falls; ten grandchildren: Jeremy Mayer (Rachel DeLuca), Matt Mayer, Zach Mayer, Jordan Camizzi (Wendi Woods), Emily Camizzi, Erica Acton Harms (Cory), Tara Acton (William Gregory), Brennan Acton, Jacob Mayer, and Iris Mayer (Kali Brokaw); and eight great-grandchildren. He was preceded in death by his parents, his brother Paul Mayer, and his daughter-in-law Debby (Smith) Mayer.