James Burton Steel

James Burton Steel, 63, of Waterloo, Iowa, formerly of Davenport, went home to be with his Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ on April 28, 2015, at Allen Hospital in Waterloo, under the care of Unity Point Hospice. Funeral services will be held at 2:00 p.m. on Saturday, May 2, 2015 in the Runge Mortuary Chapel, 838 E. Kimberly Road in Davenport with visitation one hour prior to the service at the mortuary. Entombment will be in Davenport Memorial Park Cemetery. Online condolences may be left at www.rungemortuary.com.

James, the son of Howard and Myrtle Steel, was born in Davenport on July 27, 1951. He graduated from West High School and from Washburn Trade School in Chicago. After chef’s training, he worked at various restaurants in Illinois, Missouri, and Iowa as a chef, banquet chef, swing and broiler cook and butcher. Before retiring in 2001, he owned and operated Steel’s Window Washing.

James received his seven-year AA sobriety award on October 5. He appreciated the friendship and support of the West End AA group in Davenport and AA groups in Waterloo. He delighted in giving gifts to his friends and acquaintances to brighten their days. He wanted to help them and make them happy. His Christian faith was very important to him. Every day, James prayed, “Thy will be done.” His favorite motto was the Serenity Prayer: “God grant me the serenity to accept the things I cannot change; the courage to change the things I can; and the wisdom to know the difference.”

James is preceded in death by his parents, brothers, Robert and Richard and one niece, Susie Steel. He is survived by his sister, Janet (Bruce) Redington, West Fargo, ND, sister-in-law, Etheleen Steel, North Kansas City, niece, Peggy (Sam) Smith, Brooklyn Center, MN, three nephews: David Steel, North Kansas City, Bruce Redington, II (Esther), Beverly, MA, and Jonathan Redington (Jessica), West Fargo, ND, ten grand nephews and nieces, his companion for 17 years, Grace Dawson, Waterloo, and good friend, Milo Mead, Waterloo.