James Driscoll

James Morgan Driscoll, 90, of Harpers Ferry, IA, passed away peacefully at home with his loving family by his side on May 4, 2024. Funeral Mass will be at 11:00 AM on Saturday, June 15, 2024, at St. Ann-St. Joseph's Catholic Church in Harpers Ferry with Father Joseph Sevcik officiating. Visitation will be in the parish hall from 9:30 until the start of services. Interment will be at a later date in Williamsburg, IA. Thornburg-Grau Funeral Home in Lansing is handling arrangements. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to VMH Home Care in Waukon, WinnMed Hospice in Decorah, and Coe College in Cedar Rapids.

James Morgan Driscoll was born in the family home in Williamsburg, IA, on February 12, 1934. He graduated from Williamsburg High School in 1952, where he lettered in football, basketball, track, and baseball. He also participated in band and choir. Jim enlisted in the US Army in 1953, and served in Japan and Korea until 1955.

After the service, Jim enrolled at Coe College in Cedar Rapids, IA. In 1956, his cousin Kathy Morgan, also a Coe student, arranged a blind date with Sallie Tiller; they married at St. Matthews Catholic Church in Cedar Rapids on February 1, 1958. Jim graduated from Coe in 1960 with a degree in political science and was an admissions recruiter for the college for five years. In 1965, he went to work as a special agent for Prudential Life Insurance Co., retiring in 1989.

In the 1950s, Jim came to Harpers Ferry to duck hunt, and falling in love with the area, brought his family to fish and camp in the Yellow River Forest and the Wisconsin side of the Mississippi River. For 25 years, Jim and Sallie had a trailer at Lund's Camp, south of Harpers, and ultimately purchased land in rural Harpers, where they built their retirement home in 2003. Jim was a people person and loved spending time with friends and family. He was known for his honesty, old school good manners, and great sense of humor - attributes he maintained until the very end. He liked good wine, good food and good company. He loved folk and classical music and played the piano, trombone, guitar, and banjo.

Jim was an avid duck and pheasant hunter and serious walleye fisherman. Living a casual life in the country, he enjoyed the wildlife and beautiful scenery. He once commented about being on the Mississippi River, "there's no place I'd rather be."

Jim was a member of St. Ann-St. Joseph's Catholic Church, American Legion Scenic Post 722, and Harpers Ferry Boosters.

Jim is survived by his wife of 66 years, Sallie (Tiller); his daughter Julie (Tom) Libertini; his son J. Jeffrey (Kay) Driscoll; two granddaughters: Kelsey (Rob) Colby and Madison Driscoll; two brothers: Mike (Maureen) Driscoll and Nick (Melinda) Driscoll; and numerous nieces, nephews, and cousins. Jim was predeceased by his parents James C. and Dorothy (Morgan) Driscoll.

Jim's family would like to thank all the staff at Veterans Memorial Hospital, VMH Home Care, and WinnMed Hospice for their outstanding care and support.