James Lee Jongewaard, 75, passed away January 20, 2020. He is the son of Henry George and Ann Lee Orr Jongewaard March 13, 1944 in Council Bluffs, Iowa. Jim grew up in the Jefferson area. He was raised by a family of doctors and missionaries. He served in the National Guard for six years. Jim graduated from Lambuth with a Bachelors degree and University of Memphis with a Masters degree. He earned his professional licenses in Counseling and Substance Abuse. Jim also had a strong interest in substance abuse counseling. He was an Adjunct Professor at Southwest Tennessee Community College teaching Social Behavioral Science. He loved teaching his students. Jim was recently awarded the Outstanding Adjunct Professor Award. Jim loved his grandchildren, his Dutch heritage and traveling in his RV, especially to Iowa. Jim had a great sense of humor and loved helping people, he served for ten years as a Student Local Pastor at United Methodist Churches.
Jim is preceded in death by his parents, Henry and Ann Jongewaard and his daughter, Jennifer Bing. He is survived by his wife of 23 years, Myra Bennett Jongewaard; daughters, Ann Jongewaard Aylor, Jennifer Sweigart and Beth Williams; grandchildren, Madison Rice, Hayden Rice, Callen Sweigart, Luke Sweigart, Ella Williams, Chandler Bing and McKenzie Bing; brother Joseph Jongewaard of Des Moines, IA.
The family will receive friends Monday, January 27th from 1-2pm at Family Funeral Care with the Memorial Service to follow at 2pm. In lieu of flowers the family requests donations to the Church Health Center 1350 Concourse Ave, Ste 142, Memphis TN 38104
