Michael James

Michael (Mike) John James, the son of George and Daisy James, was born on July 28, 1960 in Harlan, Iowa. Mike graduated from Harlan Community High School in 1978. He moved to Council Bluffs where he attended Iowa Western Community College for a short time. On May 26,1979 he married Kay Albers in Council Bluffs. They were blessed with three sons: Jason, Brian, and Shawn.

Mike spent his career working as a successful salesman. Over the years he sold nuts, bolts, and fasteners and later moved to selling auto body parts.

In the 90s, Mike spent time as a volunteer coach for the Council Bluffs Warriors baseball team. He was a voracious reader. There isn't a Stephen King book that he had not read, along with hundreds of other books in his own personal library. Mike spent several years bowling in leagues at Broadway Bowl, Lightning Bowl, Regal Lanes, and Thunder Bowl all in Council Bluffs. The highlights of his bowling career were his 300 and 299 games, along with teaching his three sons how to bowl. He was also an avid bike rider. Mike participated in multiple RAGBRAI rides. In the summer you could find him on the Wabash Trail on Thursday nights doing the Taco Ride, taking a break at Margaritaville before making it down to Mineola.

Mike loved watching Iowa Hawkeyes basketball and football and Chicago Cubs baseball with friends and family. He also loved yelling at the TV to let the refs know they didn't know how to do their job.

Mike passed away on March 5, 2024 at the age of 63 years old.

Mike was preceded in death by his parents George and Daisy James, brother Hanley James, father-in-law Myron Albers, brothers-in-law Albert "Pete" Stein and Dennis Albers, and sister-in-law Claudia James.

Mike is survived by his wife Kay James, his three sons Jason (Jami) James, Brian (Charlaye) James, and Shawn (Autumn) James. His brother Rusty James and sister Patty Stein. His mother-in-law Lois Albers. His grandchildren, Andrew, Laney, Temperance, ZayLeigh, Josiah, Oakley, Dylan, Carter, and Camryn. His in-laws Bruce and Karen Bruck and Dave and Peggy Albers. Several nephews, nieces, other relatives, and friends.

The family asks in lieu of flowers please consider memorial donations to Tori's Angels Foundation.