Jim was born on January 21, 1950, in Orange City, IA to Arnold and Angeline Starkenburg Van Es. He was raised in Boyden, Iowa and graduated from Boyden-Hull High School with the Class of 1968. In 1972, he received a BA degree in Physical Education and Mathematics from Northwestern College in Orange City and later received a Masters degree from St. Scholastic College in Duluth, MN. On October 28, 1972, he was married to Phyllis Rachel Kreun in Chandler, MN. Following their marriage the couple lived in Orange City while he student taught in Sibley, IA. They moved to Grinnell and he began his teaching and coaching career at Lynnville-Sully School District. He taught junior high math and coached football and basketball in the Searsboro school facility. In 1980, he managed Porter Recreation in Grinnell and he later worked for Marshalltown Office Supply and was a sales representative for Apple Computers. In the mid-1980s he returned to education and he was currently teaching 8th grade mathematics at Berg Middle School in Newton. Jim was a member of the Grinnell Christian Church and he was Past President of the Grinnell Country Club and the Grinnell Jaycees. He was currently the Team Leader at Berg Middle School. Jim will be remembered as an excellent teacher by many of his students and he was a passionate fan of the Oakland Raiders and the San Francisco Giants. Survivors include his wife of 33 years, Phyllis Van Es of Grinnell; his parents, Arnold and Angeline Starkenburg Van Es of Sheldon, IA; his brother, Duane (Mary) Van Es of Boyden, IA; his sister, Brenda (Laryl) DeWild of Boyden, IA; his father and mother-in-law, Henry and Ruby Kreun of Chandler, MN; his nieces and nephews; and many friends. He was preceded in death by his grandparents, John and Jenny Van Es and John and Lydia Starkenburg. Memorials may be directed to the Grinnell Christian Church, the Hope Ministries Door of Faith or to KSKB Christian Radio and sent in care of Phyllis Van Es, 1807 Third Avenue, Grinnell, Iowa 50112.