James R. Pemble

January 08, 1944 — June 18, 2026

James Pemble

Service Details

James R. “Jim” Pemble died quietly and peacefully in the early evening of Thursday, June 18, 2026, at Wesley on Grand, ending more than six years of living with Alzheimer’s disease.

Services will be held in the Wesley on Grand Auditorium on Saturday, July 18, 2026, at 2:00 p.m. Family will be available to greet guests before and after the service. Please join them for light refreshments immediately following the service. For those unable to attend the service in person, it will be livestreamed through the link below.

Jim was born on January 8th, 1944, to Richard Henry Pemble and Alice Josephine Edmonds Pemble in Burlington, IA, the fourth of five children.

Jim was educated in the Burlington Community School system, Morningside College in Sioux City, IA, and Garrett Theological Seminary in Evanston, IL. He was an ordained United Methodist minister and served parishes in College Springs, Minburn, Waterloo, Colfax, Wesley UMC and Bloomfield UMC in Des Moines, Perry, and Pleasantville. After retiring in 2002, Jim had short-term pastoral appointments at Hopkins Grove UMC, St. Charles, and DeSoto and as interim half-time executive director of Bidwell Riverside Child Development Center.

Jim was passionate about education—especially early childhood, church development, social action, community improvement, restorative justice, and prison visitation.

A talented musician, Jim played piano, organ and trumpet, rang handbells, and he had a clear, strong tenor voice that in church often made those sitting in front of him turn around to see who was singing. He and Muriel enjoyed spending time with family and friends, attending the theatre and concerts, and traveling—often focusing on art and architecture tours (Frank Lloyd Wright being a favorite)—including to England (1985 honeymoon), Kenya, Italy, Israel and numerous U.S. states.

Jim was treasured and is lovingly remembered by wife Muriel, sons John Pemble (Stephanie Maxwell) and Aaron Pemble, sisters Alice Davis and Dianne Belec (Wayne), sister-in-law Kathy McKay, brother-in-law Walter Tomlinson (David Ross), seven nephews, five nieces, six grand-nephews, nine grand-nieces, and a host of friends and colleagues.

Jim was preceded in death by his parents and brothers Richard Henry II and William “Will” Pemble.

Memorial contributions may be directed to Grace United Methodist Church in Des Moines, the Iowa Methodist Federation for Social Action (MFSA), or A Mid-Iowa Organizing Strategy (AMOS).

Condolences may be expressed at www.HamiltonsFuneralHome.com.