James William Urfer, 77, of Grinnell, died on Tuesday, May 21, 2013, at Iowa Methodist Medical Center in Des Moines, from injuries sustained in an automobile accident earlier that afternoon south of Grinnell. Funeral services are scheduled for 10:30 a.m. Friday, May 31, at St. John's Lutheran Church in Grinnell with Pastor Kathy Roys officiating. Organist will be Cheryl Ireland and vocalist will be Roger Henderson. Pallbearers will be Scott, Nathan and Renee Beach and Ned, Calvin and Samantha Quarterman. Honorary bearers will be Jewel Kintzinger-Day, Raymond and Rhea Light, Montie and Betty Hammond and Dan Slagle. A private family burial will follow at Hazelwood Cemetery in Grinnell. Visitation will be held from 3:30 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. Thursday at the Smith Funeral Home in Grinnell with the family present from 5:00 to 7:00 Thursday evening. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be designated in Jim's name to St. John's Lutheran Church in Grinnell, Grinnell Regional Medical Center, or the Rotary International Fund for Polio Eradication. James W. Urfer was born on April 13, 1936, to Samuel James Urfer and Mildred Caroline Ludquist Urfer in Des Moines, Iowa. He graduated from Grinnell High School in 1954 and attended Wartburg and Grinnell College. While at Grinnell College, Jim met Marlene Ellen Berg. They were married on July 18, 1959 at Faith Lutheran Church in Comfrey, Minnesota. They have three children. Jim was stricken with polio when he was a junior in high school. Grinnell College and Coach Irv Samone stepped forward to help Jim and other polio patients in Grinnell Area in their rehabilitation. In the summers of his college years, Jim worked in Jackson Hole, Wyoming. He then joined the family business at Grinnell Implement Store in 1959. He became President in 1962 until he retired in 2003. He was baptized, confirmed and an active member of St. John's Lutheran Church. He had also been president of the church council. Jim was very proud of his family's involvement and history with St. John's Lutheran Church. An active member of the Rotary Club for 35 years, he serviced as the club's president in 1982 and 1983 and was honored as a Paul Harris Fellow by Rotary International. He was on the Grinnell Regional Medical Center Board of Directors from 1982 until 1990 where he served as secretary from 1987 to 1990. He served on the Foundation Board from 2003 to 2009. He also served on the board of the Farm Equipment Association and the Poweshiek County Soil Conservation Committee for many years, and a member of the Grinnell Elks Lodge # 1266. Jim was co-founder and co-chair of Ag Appreciation Day for 18 years. He loved and respected the agriculture community. Jim and Molly were honored as Grand Marshalls in the Grinnell 4th of July parade in 2011. Jim cherished his time spent with family and friends. He was so proud of his children and grandchildren in their academic achievements and watching them in their athletic and fine arts activities. He also enjoyed attending Grinnell High School and Grinnell College Sporting events, summers in Okoboji, watching sunsets, wintering in Florida, golfing, fishing, bridge club, traveling, gardening and going on walks. He is survived by his wife of 53 years, Molly; his children, Julia (Scott) Beach of Grinnell; Christina (Ned) Quarterman of McHenry, Illinois and Charles "Chod" Urfer of Grinnell; four grandchildren, Nathan Beach, Renee Beach, Calvin Quarterman, and Samantha Quarterman; one great-granddaughter, Brynn Bishop-Beach; and one brother, Theodore (Nancy) Urfer of Grinnell.