James William Platte

James William Platte age 70, of Mesa Arizona passed away peacefully on April 5 2022. James had battled COVID with his wife Mavis until her death on February 1, 2021. James suffered with MDS since 2021.

James was born on January 23, 1952 in Waterloo, LA to Melvin and Arlene (Doepke) Platte. James was baptized on February 10, 1952 at Saint John’s Lutheran Church, Denver, Iowa. Confirmed on April 3, 1966 at St. Matthews Church Readlyn, IA. James had attended public school in Readlyn, IA which was part of the Wapsi Valley School District he then graduated from high school from Dunkerton High School, Dunkerton, Iowa in 1970.

James was a bodyman doing painting and fabrication for Davik Body Shop in Denver Iowa. He then moved to Arizona in 1982 where he worked as a machinist at Honeywell.

James met the love of this life, Mavis Schock while bowling with mutual friends. On March 21, 1992 the happy couple were married in Las Vegas, Nevada. They made their home together at Pueblo Grande in Mesa, Arizona. James and Mavis were huge cat lovers. They would adopt and gather Feral cats for spay and neuter in a catch and release program-they were also supporters of local humane societies in Mesa.

After James officially retired, he began his second career as a “fix-it guy “ in the neighborhood. His neighbors in the trailer court would call upon him to fix doors, remodel rooms, clean yards, and repair just about everything that needed to be fixed. James was a quiet man and loved by all who met him, he will be missed by many.

James is survived by his step-daughter Barb (Buzz) Scholton, Morgan and Brandon of Billings, MT, his sister Karen (Roger) Bruch, Sumner, IA their two children Jeff (Melissa) Bruch, Kasee and Halee of Sumner, IA. Lori (Grant) Hemesath and Elizabeth of Ossian, IA.

He was preceded in death by his wife Mavis, February 1, 2021, as well as his parents, Melvin and Arlene Platte.

A Memorial service will be held at Mariposa Gardens Memorial Park and Funeral Home. An additional Memorial service is being planned at a later date in Iowa.