James Dean Taft, born on July 2, 1964, in Des Moines, Iowa, to Carol Jahnke Taft and Gerald Taft, passed away peacefully surrounded by family on December 5, 2024, at the age of 60.
James was the father to his son, Zachary Woods, who he was truly proud of. One of their favorite activities was riding motorcycles together—a joy that brought James immense happiness. A lover of Harley Davidson motorcycles, James found freedom and peace on the open road, and sharing this passion with Zachary made it even more special. James was also a devoted fan of the Iowa Hawkeyes and the Green Bay Packers.
As the oldest of three siblings, James was a loving older brother to Jerry Taft and Julie Taft. He grew up on the Southside of Des Moines and attended Lincoln High School, where he graduated in 1982.
James had a kind heart and would give the shirt off his back to anyone who needed it. He was generous, sometimes to a fault, and always found joy in seeing others happy. He had a love for hunting and fishing which he shared with family and friends. He loved to cook and grill, and always cooked enough food to feed a small army for family gatherings. James' love for his family was immeasurable.
Known for his storytelling, James loved to share a tale or two (some true, some embellished) with anyone who would listen—just ask anyone in his family!
Over the years, James also had several beloved pets, including his cat, Mickey, and his dogs, Buddy, Bailey, and Dixie, who brought him great joy and companionship.
James is survived by his son, Zachary (Courtney) Woods; his mother, Carol Taft; his siblings, Jerry Taft and Julie (Micheal Curtis) Taft; his nieces, Jamie (Drew) Hupke, Jillian (Ethan) Guge, Jennifer (Kyle) Gadbaw; his nephew, Cameron Curtis; four great-nieces and two great-nephews. He is also remembered fondly by many other family members, including aunts, uncles, cousins, and beyond.
James was preceded in death by his father, Gerald Taft; his maternal grandparents, Darlene, and Frank Jahnke; his paternal grandparents, Earl and Jewell Taft; and his Aunts Sandra and Joyce.
A visitation will be held at Sunset Memorial Cemetery on Friday, December 13, 2024, from 1:00 to 3:00 PM. Following the visitation, a get-together for family and friends will take place at the Carlisle Community Center in Carlisle, IA, where light food and refreshments will be served.
James will be deeply missed by all who knew him, but his memory will live on in the hearts of those who loved him.
