Jim Albright, age 89 of Lytton, IA, passed away on Friday, October 9, 2020, at Accura HealthCare of Carroll in Carroll, IA.
   James Irvan Albright was born on July 25, 1931, to parents Wayne and Hazel (Gibson) Albright in Kingwood, WV. He grew up there and graduated from Kingwood West Virginia High School in 1949. From there he furthered his education at West Virginia University for two years and then transferred to Iowa State University where he was a member of Alpha Gamma Rho fraternity. Jim graduated in 1953 with a bachelor degree in Dairy Husbandry. 
   On June 13, 1953, Jim married Jo Ann Denise from Lytton, IA. He worked as an extension agent in Montgomery County, Maryland for three years and while living there they had two children, Alan and Jan.
   In 1957, Jim and Jo Ann moved their family to the Denise farm in Lytton where he farmed in partnership with his father-in-law, Ted Denise, until Ted retired in 1968. Jim grew the farming operation with the addition of a cattle feeding and hog operation as well as land purchases.
   Jim’s grandpa and grandma Gibson raised him as his mother, Hazel, passed away during the birth of his sister, and his father worked in the coal mines of West Virginia. Throughout his life, Jim never forgot where he came from. He was a descendent of the founder of the town of Albright, WV, and was very proud of his state and heritage. Many of the cattle fed on the Albright farm over the years came from the hills surrounding Albright, WV.
   Jim was an avid golfer and was a big supporter of Iowa State University. He was an original donor to the new ISU football stadium in 1973 and a season ticket holder for over fifty years.
   Jim was also a big promoter of the Mayo Clinic in Rochester, MN. The years of hard work on the farm took a toll on his body. He had two hip replacements, two shoulder replacements, as well as a few back surgeries all at Mayo. He had always planned to have his body donated to the Mayo Clinic Bequest program which gives students there the opportunity to learn. He was in fact accepted by the program and was able to receive his wish. He was such a giving man in so many ways, and this just confirms that.
   Jim’s family and friends meant the world to him. Nothing meant more than getting to spend time with them. He was such a social human being. It must be mentioned that he was very proud of his thirty-five-year pin with AA. He was a loyal member and supporter.
   When he finally decided to retire in 1991, he and Jo Ann started spending their winters in Fort Myers, FL. They enjoyed getting away from the cold Iowa winters. Jim’s last stay in Fort Myers was in 2019 before deciding to reside in an assisted living community back in Iowa.
   Jim leaves behind for his family and friends the legacy of a strong, hardworking, committed, loving man who set a great example of all that life has to offer. 

   Left to cherish Jim’s memory are his children, James Alan (Lisa) Albright of Lytton, IA, and Jan (Pat) Monahan of Spirit Lake, IA; grandchildren and great-grandchildren: Ben (Susan) Albright, Aiden, Myla and Teddy; Nick (Krista) Albright, Elin, Cannon and Toryn;  Sarah (Mike) Kinney, Emma, Wyatt and Molli; and Brandon (Brittney) Burk, Jack and Brooke; special friend Barbara Graven of Fort Myers, FL; sister Sue (Jay) Shillito; Aunt Lou (Gibson) Casseday; half-sisters Peach (Lee) Hoover, Muriel (Arlyn) Perkey, Gail Lynn Hartley, Nola Englehart, and Brenda (John) Wilkens; many extended family members and friends.
   He was preceded in death by his wife, Jo Ann Albright; parents Wayne and Hazel Albright; stepmother Lucille Albright; grandsons Andy Albright and Isaiah Burk.