Obituary of James W. France

James W. France, 96, formerly of Cedar Rapids, died Wednesday, March 23, 2011, at the Crestview Care Center in West Branch. Memorial services will be held at 1 pm, April 17 at Gay & Ciha Funeral and Cremation Service in Iowa City. Doors will open at noon for visitation. Online condolences may be sent to www.gayandciha.com. James Washington France was born March 27, 1914, at Rose Hill, Iowa, the son of Charles Washington France and Janette Marian (Smith) France. He began his education at Allgood School, a rural one-room schoolhouse where he learned the three Rs and duck hunting at recess. He graduated from Oskaloosa High School and the University of Iowa, where he earned a B.S. degree from the School of Commerce. As a certified public accountant, he worked 33 years for the Internal Revenue Service and was self-employed for many years. James enlisted in the Army Air Corps during WWII, training other pilots until his discharge in 1944. James married Elizabeth “Betty” L. Berry on September 25, 1949, in Blakesburg, Iowa. Before settling in Cedar Rapids, they lived in Ottumwa, where their two children, Charles France (now of Madison WI) and Nona France (Iowa City) were born. James was a longtime member of the Elks Club, and Westminster and First Presbyterian churches. He was an avid bridge player, devoted father and life-long learner who loved to travel. He attended about 50 Elderhostels and drove his teenagers to Woodstock in 1969. He was known for his early-to-rise industriousness, as well as his reliability, kindness, generosity, and sense of humor. He was preceded in death by his parents, five siblings, and his wife, Betty. He is survived by Chuck (Cynthia), and their son, Nathan France: Nona and her two sons, Mose and Louis Hayward: his brother, Richard France, sister-in-laws Ann France and Ruth France; many nieces and nephews; and his close friend, Molly Andersen. Nona and Chuck would like to send a very special thank-you to all the staff at Crestview Care Center for their very kind and excellent care for James over the last three years.