James A Dorothy, Sr. passed away on Wednesday, August 5th, 2020. He was born October 1, 1931 to Arthur and Martha Dorothy in Keosauqua. His mother passed away when Jim was a young boy and was sent to live with his dad's sister and her husband, Stan and Bertha Barker in Douds, IA. His father remarried to Esther Coffman Dorothy in Ottumwa and Jim went back to live with his dad and Esther who he affectionately called mom. He graduated in 1949 from Ottumwa, IA and went to Kemper Military School in Boonville, MO where he met Jane Lucas who became his wife. He got drafted to the Army and spent most of his time in Fort Benning, GA. After his discharge he went to the University of Iowa for his undergraduate degree and immediately after, his law degree in 1959. Upon graduation, he moved to Keosauqua and worked for a very fine lawyer and gentleman named Jo Stong, and later became a partner. His oldest son, Jim, Jr was born while he was in law school and then had a daughter, Cathy who also received both her undergraduate and law degree from Iowa. His youngest son Andrew graduated from University of Northern Iowa and is a Kansas City police officer.

When Jim moved to Keosauqua in 1959, he thought it would be a short stay to get him established, but he fell in love with the town, the county, and its residents. He coached Little League baseball for a number of years, joined the Rotary Club, became the Mayor of Keosauqua, and later, the county attorney. He was an avid sports booster of Van Buren Community Schools and announced the high school football games for a number of years. He was an avid golfer who loved the game and played all over the United States. One of his greatest joys was sitting on the Board of Trustees of Indian Hills Community College. He was very proud of the institution it had become and was thrilled to see graduates of the county go to Indian Hills graduate and go on to successful careers.

He married Joyce Stephens in 1993 and retired not long after so they could travel, play golf and go to sporting events of all sorts.

He was preceded in death by his father, Arthur T. Dorothy; his birth mother, Martha Dorothy; Esther Dorothy who he treated like his mother; and Jane Lucas (divorced). He is survived by his wife Joyce of Keosauqua; James Jr. (Barbara) of Lenexa, KS; daughter Catherine and granddaughter Catie of Austin, TX; and Andrew and grandchildren Brock and Olivia of Kansas City, MO.

Per Jim's wishes, his body has been cremated. No services are planned at this time and no memorial has been established. Pedrick Funeral Home in Keosauqua is assisting the family and online condolences may be directed to www.pedrickfuneralhome.com.