Leroy "Jim" Fender

LeRoy James Fender, known to everyone as Jim, passed away on October 12th at the age of 77 following a brief bout with cancer. Jim was born August 8, 1945 in Hamburg, Iowa to Floyd Fender and Ruby Lyons. The family was completed two years later with the arrival of his sister Linda. He grew up in Fremont County where he was active in 4H as well as many school sports and activities as he helped his parents on their farm. In 1963, he and four classmates made up the final graduating class of Riverton High School. He attended Iowa State University before marrying his first wife, Martha Barner, in 1967. They had three sons - David, Bruce and William (Bill) before divorcing in 1978. He married Diana Platt in 1990 and they settled just outside the Hancock town limits in 1997. He spent his career working in packing plants, retiring from Omaha Packing in 2012. Jim enjoyed fishing, growing tomatoes, watching NASCAR, completing newspaper crosswords and, most especially, following the various pursuits of his children and grandchildren.

He was preceded in death by his father, mother, step-mother LaVerna Fender, step-brother Larry Hill, and step-son Shawn Platt. He is survived by his wife Diana, sister Linda (Larry) Schilhab of Montgomery, TX, sons David (Cynthia) of Littleton, CO, Bruce (Lacey) of Cedar Creek, TX, and Bill (Dena) of Dallas, TX, step-sons Lance (Dorothy) Platt of Lansing, KS and Scott (Colleen) Platt of University Park, IA, stepdaughter-in-law Audrey Platt of Iowa City, IA, step-sister Judy Taylor of San Antonio, TX, and step-sister-in-law Teresa Hill of Thurman, IA, 14 grandchildren, 4 great-grandchildren, 2 nieces and 6 great nieces and nephews.