James Clifton Eubanks

Rock Rapids, Iowa James Clifton Eubanks, age 88 of Naples, FL, formerly of Rock Rapids, Iowa, died Friday, January 30, 2009 at the Rock Rapids Health Centre in Rock Rapids, Iowa. Memorial service will be 10:30 a.m. Friday February 6th, 2009 at Immanuel Lutheran Church in Rock Rapids with Rev. Dr. Dave Christenson officiating. Inurnment will follow at Riverview Cemetery in Rock Rapids. James Clifton Eubanks was born January 17, 1921 in Fulton, Arkansas to James and Minerva (Hockett) Eubanks. He received his education and graduated from Blytheville Arkansas high school in 1938. On January 1, 1941 he entered the military and served in the U S Army during WWII and was discharged in October of 1945. During his time in the Army, James served in Seward, AK and as a radio operator and navigator on a B-17. Later in his service he worked as a radio operator instructor in Sioux Falls, SD. While serving in Sioux Falls, Jim met Dorothy Borman while at a church service. The couple was married on June 23, 1945 and made their home on a farm near Rock Rapids, IA. He retired from farming in 1983. Jim and his wife were members of Immanuel Lutheran Church in Rock Rapids. He taught Sunday school, served on the Country School board, Elevator Board of Directors, as well as being a 50 year member of the Border Masonic Lodge #404 in Rock Rapids. In September of 1987 Dorothy passed away ending their marriage of 42 years. On September 16, 1989 Jim was united in marriage to Violet Labuta at which time Jim and Violet moved to St. Paul, MN. There they enjoyed golf, fishing, square dancing, spending time at their lake cabin and spending their winters in Naples, FL. They eventually moved to Naples. He and Vi shared several cruises to the Bahamas and took a wonderful trips to Austria and England. Jim loved his family very much and especially enjoyed spending time with his grandkids. A short time before Jims death he moved to the Rock Rapids Health Centre to be nearer to family. This past Friday, Jim died at the age of 88. He will be greatly missed. James is survived by his wife Violet of Naples, FL; daughter, Ellen (Dean) Nakayama and their son Preston of Erie, CO; son, David Eubanks of Fairbanks, AK, and Paul (Jocele) Eubanks of Rock Rapids and their children Cliff (Lisa) Eubanks of Brooklyn Center, MN, and Sheila Eubanks of Portland, OR; and step-daughter, Diane (Tom) Perbix and their daughter Terrie (Charley) Allen and their children Ben and Kinsey all of Plymouth, MN. He was preceded in death by his parents, James and Minerva; his wife Dorothy; and brother Herold.