Obituary of James William Fish

James William Fish passed away peacefully Tuesday November 24th, 2015 in Granbury, Texas in the arms of his loving wife Colleen. A memorial service will be held at the First Presbyterian Church in Granbury Monday at 2:30 p.m. Flowers are welcome or donation may be made in Jim's name to the Texas Scottish Rite Hospital for Children. Jim was born November 6th 1925 in Cambridge, Iowa. He lost his mother at an early age and was raised by his grandmother and was graduated from Cambridge High School. As soon as he turned 18 Jim followed his older brother Frank into the US Army Air Corps during WWII and served stateside training to be a B-17 bomber navigator. He attended Michigan State College in Ann Arbor, Michigan as a Cadet Student during his time in the Army. His time in the Air Corps began what would be a lifelong affair with flying. After the war, he and his brother were on the Cambridge American Legion basketball team that represented the State of Iowa in the national championship tournament. He played pick-up basketball well into his 50s. He attended the American Institute of Business in Des Moines. Jim met Colleen when they both worked for Phillips 66 in Des Moines and found they shared a love for basketball. He started going to watch her play basketball so he could see her after work. They were married October 24th, 1953 and everyone who met them knows the two adored each other ever after. He had a long career at Continental Western Insurance in Urbandale, Iowa retiring as Claims Manager for 5 states. Jim's love of dancing started in the Swing Era of the 40s and his effortless smooth steps were admired by many. He and Colleen got into square dancing in the 70's and 80s where he eventually served as president of the Iowa State Square and Round Dance Association. After he retired in 1988 Jim and Colleen wintered in southern Texas until 1991 when they moved to Pecan Plantation in Granbury, Texas where Jim could be found playing golf as many as 6 days a week. He also enjoyed visiting the elementary school to read to the children. He was proud to have been a Master Mason for over 60 years, as was his father and his grandfather and served as President of the Granbury Lodge. James was preceded in death by his parents Clarence Leroy Fish and Frances Merz Fish, his stepmother Ruth Maureen Sawyer Fish and his brother Frank Arnold Fish. Survivors: He is survived by his wife of 62 years Beatrice 'Colleen' Haifley Fish, his sons Timothy James Fish of Granbury and Robert Charles Fish of Olathe, Kansas, grandchildren Tiffany Nicole Fish O'Bannon, Tonya Michelle Fish Sanders, Tyler James Fish and Amanda Christine Fish and 4 great-grandchildren. Martin Thompson & Son Funeral Home Fort Worth, 817-292-2250