James “Jim” Mejia, 75 of Hampton, passed away on the early morning of June 7th at his home with his wife, Shirley at his side under the care St.Croix Hospice. Woodley Funeral Home and Crematory of Hampton is caring for Jim and his family. Visitation will be held 4-7pm, Thursday, June 13th, at Woodley Funeral Home in Hampton. A Celebration of Life will be 4-8pm, Friday, June 14th, at the Beed’s Lake Lodge, Hampton. Burial will be at later date at Hampton Cemetery.
James Jesse Mejia was born December 1, 1948, in Mason City, a son of Joseph and Petra (Rodriquez) Mejia. He was educated in the Manly and Hampton School Districts. Following school Jim worked for Farmer’s Hybrid for a time and then attended Indian Hills Community College obtaining his Semi-Truck Driver Training and drove truck for a couple years. Then worked for Farmland Foods in Iowa Falls until they closed and worked a short time for Sorenson Motors in Hampton. Majority of his working years he worked for Iowa Select Farms as a loading crew manger and then started his own small business, Mejia’s Loading Services, LLC which he did until his retirement in 2013.
Jim married Doris Gamble in 1967, they were later divorced. On July 14, 1978, Jim married Shirley Branan in Hampton. With his blended family, Jim always said he had seven children. He loved spending time with his family, fishing, camping, coon hunting, attending auctions, and dirt track races. He collected antique wind-up toys, Pez candy dispensers, and coins. He enjoyed being outdoors soaking up the sunshine and especially working the gate at the Franklin County Fair every year. One of his favorite things to do was people watching either at Fareway parking lot while waiting for Shirley to get groceries or at the fair while sitting at the gate. He was always full of life and joking around. A few of his favorite sayings were, Do you speak any English? My name is Chico, what is yours?, Can you hear the words coming out of my mouth?.
Family members include his wife of 45 years: Shirley; children: Kay Mulder, Hansell; Tom (Brande) Mulder, Swaledale; Cristie (Alan) Larsen, Coulter; Jimmy Mejia, Coulter; Betty (Kyle) Graney, Hampton; Chad (Alissa George) Martin, Hampton; Justin Mejia, Hampton: 13 grandchildren; 15 great grandchildren; siblings: Ray Mejia, Manly; Angie (Carl) Langwell, Nixa, MO; Felix (BettyLou) Mejia, Tiffin; Joe (Carol) Mejia, St. Cloud, MN; Patty Fitz, Eden Valley, MN; many nieces, nephews, and friends.
Jim is preceded in death by his parents, sisters Juanita Rocha and Vacilia McBride, brother Patrick Mejia, brother and sister in infancy Lena Mary and Franislado, as well as son-in-law Paul Smith.
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