James Clinton Stump

James “Jim” Clinton Stump, age 88, passed away on July 16, 2023, at Moffitt Cancer Center in Tampa, Florida, from complications associated with Myelodysplastic Syndrome (MDS).

Jim was born in Douds, Iowa, on October 17, 1934, the only child of Roy and Esther Stump. He grew up on a small family farm and graduated from Birmingham High School in 1954. Jim married Karen (Kay) Nelson in 1955, with whom he had three children: Duff, Sarah, and Dan. Jim was a veteran, serving in the United States Army from 1957-1959. After graduating from Iowa State University, Jim and Kay moved to Elgin, Illinois in 1964.

Jim worked as an industrial education teacher and coached football, basketball, and track for 26 years in the U-46 School District (Elgin area) at Larsen Junior High, Eastview Junior High, and Larkin High School. Jim obtained a Master’s degree in Educational Administration from Murray State University in 1971. Jim was also a talented carpenter who could build or fix almost anything. During his summers, he built dozens of homes in the Elgin area. After retiring from teaching, Jim moved back to his family farm near Douds. In 1990, Jim met his life partner, Karen Cummings. Jim loved being on the farm in Iowa, spending time with his children and grandchildren in Florida, and traveling with Karen. Karen and Jim were together until his death.

Jim was a kind, friendly man who enjoyed helping others. He will be greatly missed by his many friends, his loving family, and the hundreds of students he positively impacted during his teaching and coaching career.

Jim is survived by his life partner, Karen Cummings; his three children, Duff (Debbie) Stump, Sarah (Eric) Nielsen, and Dan Stump; nine grandchildren, Jonathan, Corey, Marcus, Abbey, Madeline, Olivia, Elizabeth, Matthew, and Daniel; one great-grandchild, Isla; and Karen’s family including children Michael Cummings and Julie (Brian) Hensley; and two grandchildren – Kayla and Amber.

A celebration of Jim’s life will be held on September 9, 2023, at 1 PM at the Birmingham Lions Center in Birmingham, Iowa. In lieu of flowers, donations in Jim’s name can be made to the Iowa Wildlife Federation.