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Phillip W. James

Phillip W. James

  • August 3, 1943 - January 30, 2012
  • Fremont, Iowa
  • Phil James Memorial Fund for Area Sports Programs
  • Stephen Memorial Animal Shelter
    Oskaloosa, IA 52577
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“Dear, Mr. James Was my older brother's football coach, He was a very nice man. I did not get to know him well like my brother Matthew...Read More » ”
1 of 23 | Posted by: Kathleen Van Skike - Oskaloosa, IA

“My memory is when Phil was coaching my son Matt Englehoven for football. It was an out of town game Mathew got hurt. Like the over protected mother...Read More » ”
2 of 23 | Posted by: Pam Albertson - Oskaloosa, IA

“Linda and family, My thoughts and prayers are with you all. I was so sad to hear of Phil's passing. I have 18 years of many fond memories working...Read More » ”
3 of 23 | Posted by: Claudia Gosnell - Visalia, CA

“In the thirty years of coaching at Oskkaloosa High and Coach James being on the staff for many of those years, there are many, many memories that...Read More » ”
4 of 23 | Posted by: Jerry Staton - Oskaloosa, IA

“I am sad to hear of the passing of former classmate ,Phil James. I remember the football games and all then fun we had of the class of 1961 R.I.P...Read More » ”
5 of 23 | Posted by: Sandra Kay Van Veen Fluaitt - IA

“WHAT A WONDERFUL PERSON. I LOOKED UP TO HIM FROM THE TIME I WAS A TEENAGER AND LIVED ACROSS THE STREET AND BABYSAT FOR DEB AND WENDY. I WAS EVEN MORE...Read More » ”
6 of 23 | Posted by: SHARI DAY (VAN ROEKEL) - IA

“my best memory of coach was wrstling pratice every day some1 got a fish hook he didnt care who u was and 1 thing was for sure u didnt loose to pella...Read More » ”
7 of 23 | Posted by: tyler haring - oskaloosa, IA

“We are so sorry to hear of Phil's passing so suddenly. I am so sad to read of his death and of my classmate. What a great class our class of 1961 was...Read More » ”
8 of 23 | Posted by: Sheryl Carter - Sully, IA

“Our thoughts and prayers are with Phil"s Family. Thankyou Phil, you contributed so much to young peoples life's. We will never forget you. ...Read More » ”
9 of 23 | Posted by: Jeff and Jill Ferguson - IA

“Linda & Family, My thoughts are with you. ”
10 of 23 | Posted by: Kyle Harrison - Oskaloosa, IA

“Coach James impacted my life from an early age. When I was a young boy, my family and I lived next to Coach James. When I was just a little lad he...Read More » ”
11 of 23 | Posted by: Jerry Kelsey - Richland , IA

“I will always remember Phil as one of the funniest, quick witted friends I ever had. His passing leaves a void. He will be missed. ”
12 of 23 | Posted by: Jim dunkin - Bussey, IA - Friend

“One of our favorite memories of our first day of work at what was Southern Prairie AEA, was when Phil received an award for 25 years of service to...Read More » ”
13 of 23 | Posted by: Joe & Liz Rich - Ottumwa, IA

“After freshman football, Phil cornered me in the hallway of the old Junior High and looking down at me said he needed me to wrestle and practice...Read More » ”
14 of 23 | Posted by: Mickey Kindley - Madison, WI

“There are many positive things one might say about Phil. But, one thing that almost everyone would agree is that Phil demonstrated a true love for...Read More » ”
15 of 23 | Posted by: Don and Marilyn Swim - Oskaloosa, IA

“My memories of Phil also began as our Principal at Rose Hill. He brought order to a somewhat chaotic environment. He liked to growl but it didnt take...Read More » ”
16 of 23 | Posted by: Cindy Floden McNulty - Montezuma, IA

“There are many positive things one might say about Phil. But, one thing that almost everyone would agree is that Phil demonstrated a true love for...Read More » ”
17 of 23 | Posted by: Don and Marilyn Swim - Oskaloosa, IA

“My first memory of Phil was when he picked me up walking home from football practice at Twin Cedars. "Home" was several miles away and the ride was...Read More » ”
18 of 23 | Posted by: Tony Toigo - Indianola, IA

“My memories are of Rose Hill grade school in the early 70's. The principal was "Mr. James". You definitely didn't want to be sent to the principal...Read More » ”
19 of 23 | Posted by: Penny Adams - Oskaloosa, IA

“Big ole teddy bear walking the halls of my Jr. High school in the 70's. He LOVED to grab hold of us and put us in a head lock - didn't matter who...Read More » ”
20 of 23 | Posted by: Tammy Sparks - Oskaloosa, IA

“Coach James always treated me the same, whether I won or lost. As long as I worked hard and did my best, he gave me a firm handshake and a pat on...Read More » ”
21 of 23 | Posted by: Chuck Legvold - Aurora, IL

“RIP Coach James. Thanks for making every one of your players become not only a better football player, but a better person. You pushed us to behave...Read More » ”
22 of 23 | Posted by: Brett Johnson - Newmarket, NH

“I will never forget the first day our daughter was a football manager. I went to pick her up, and thought, "What in the World! " As I listened to a...Read More » ”
23 of 23 | Posted by: Cheryl Jansen - Tyler, TX



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Phillip W. James, 68, of Fremont, and formerly of Oskaloosa,
died Monday, January 30, 2012, at the University of Iowa Hospital in
Iowa City. He was born August 3, 1943 in Oskaloosa, the son of Leo
and Rita Smith James. He graduated from the Bussey High School in
Bussey, Iowa with the class of 1961. He received his B.A. degree in
Physical Education from William Penn College in Oskaloosa in 1966, and
a Masters Degree in 1972 from Western Michigan University. In 1967,
he was married to Betty Johnson at Lancaster, Missouri and later
divorced. On September 8, 2001, he was united in marriage to Linda
Cox at Cedar Methodist Church at Cedar. He taught and coached in the
Oskaloosa Community Schools for six years, and then worked for the
Southern Prairie AEA for 30 years from 1975 -- 2006. He coached
football and wrestling for Oskaloosa for 30 years. Since 2009 until
the present, Phil worked for the Iowa Braille and Sightsaving School
out of the Ottumwa office. He had a lifelong love for coaching,
teaching, and mentoring. Phil delighted in being with family and had
a soft spot for rescuing animals. He was one of the owners of Wall
Street Willie, a harness racehorse that won the first pari-mutuel
horse race in Iowa in 1989 at Prairie Meadows. Phil was a member of
Integrity Masonic Lodge #584 at Bussey; the Elks #340 and the Optimist
Clubs of Oskaloosa; and KAABA Shrine Temple, Davenport.

His family includes his wife, Linda James of Fremont; two
daughters: Deb Fletcher of Oskaloosa and Wendy (& Stu) Stetter of
Kirkville; four grandchildren: Tyler and Zach Fletcher and Nolan and
Carson Stetter; three stepsons: Shawn (& Laura) Smith, Ottumwa, Cole
Smith of Eldon, and Kyle Smith of Fremont; a stepdaughter: Michelle
Smith of Rose Hill; a step grandson: Tristen Smith; a brother, Mike
James of Bussey; an aunt, Pauline Wilson of Bussey; his mother in law:
Shirley Cox of Eldon; and many nieces, nephews, and cousins.

Phil was preceded in death by his parents.

Funeral services will be held Friday, February 3, 2012, at 4:30
p.m. in the Bates Funeral Chapel in Oskaloosa with Pastors Richard
Grimes and Paul Burrow officiating. To honor Phil's wishes, attendees
are encouraged to wear Oskaloosa School colors or casual attire.
Cremation will follow the funeral ceremony. Visitation will begin
Thursday after 11 a.m., and the family will be at the funeral chapel
on Thursday from 4 – 8 p.m. to greet friends and relatives. Memorials
may be made to the Phil James Memorial Fund for area sports programs,
or Stephen Memorial Animal Shelter.