Memorial

James Joseph Delay, 74, of Cedar Rapids passed away Thursday, June 30, 2016 at the Dennis & Donna Oldorf Hospice House in Hiawatha, IA, surrounded by loving friends and family, after a long illness. 

Jim is survived by his wife, Sandy, children Terry Delay, Rodney (Shela) Delay and Lisa Marie Parsons, all of Cedar Rapids, 2 step-daughters, Sherry Brustkern (Gordon Baker) of Cedar Rapids and Deanna (Rob) McNamer of Dubuque. Jim is also survived by six grandchildren, James (Tiffany), Kyle (Megan), Natasha (Derek), Zach, & 2 others), six step-grandchildren, Steve (Nicole), Lee Ray (Roseann), Alicia, Amanda (Ryan), Jesse, and Tanner, four great grandchildren, four step-great-grandchildren, Eden, Connor, Areanna and Eleanor. Also surviving is Jim’s loving sister, Donna (Steve) McRobbie of Orlando, FL, and very special family and friends, Teri (Denny) Kauffman, Pat (Stacy) Pechman, Deb McKernan plus many nieces, nephews and cousins. 

Jim was born with the birth name of Terry Frances Finnegan on August 16, 1941, in Prairie Du Chien, WI to Marie Finnegan and Joseph Kasparek. He was adopted at the age of six months by Joseph and Mable Delay of rural Monticello. He went to country school, then graduated from Sacred Heart in Monticello in 1960, while spending quality time growing up with cousins Leo, Bill, Lorraine and Jerry. 

Jim married Donna Casteel in 1962. Children from this marriage are Terry, Rodney, and Lisa Marie. He farmed in the castle Grove area until 1973. At that point, they moved to Cedar Rapids. Jim also worked for General Mills, Burd Concrete, Purolater Courier and APAC. 

Jim remarried in 1989 to Sandra K. Brustkern. Jim enjoyed many hobbies including his NASCAR Racing, model trains, country music, his love of Bonanza and family TV shows from the 50s and 60s. Jim was usually found on his computer traveling somewhere or doing genealogy research. He always was willing to help family in any way he could. Jim always treasured both the NASCAR trip to Daytona, and the big fishing trip with Rod. Jim was a member of Noelridge Christian Church, where he had served as the Treasurer. 
Jim is preceded in death by both sets of parents, his faithful companion, his Sheltie, Rascal and a praying angel, Barbara Roberts. 

In 1998, Jim was blessed to be the recipient of the ultimate gift of life, a donor heart through the Iowa Donor Network. Forever in our hearts we will carry gratitude for the family of Franklin DeShaw, who gave their loved one’s heart to save a stranger, our Jim. 

The family would like to thank the health professionals at area hospitals for their compassionate care of Jim during his illness over the years. The University of Iowa heart transplant team gave us an extra 17 years with Jim, for which we are very grateful. Jim was a fighter against all of his health issues to very end. 

Visitation will be held at Cedar Memorial Park Funeral Home from 5 to 7 PM on Tuesday, July 5, 2016. Funeral services will be held at Noelridge Christian Church, 7111 C Ave NE, Cedar Rapids, at 11 AM on Wednesday, July 6, 2016 with a visitation an hour prior. 

In lieu of flowers, memorials to be made to the Iowa Donor Network, Mercy Hospice House, Noelridge Christian Church or Catholic Charities.