James Brubaker

Return to Class of 1939

James Brubaker09/30/2006
James “JC” Clyde Brubaker was born on May 11, 1921, in Knoxville, Iowa, the son of James Clyde and Hazel Evelyn (Brooks) Brubaker. J.C. graduated from Knoxville High School in 1939.

He was united in marriage to Betty Mae Reeves on November 28, 1942. He worked for his father at the sawmill in Knoxville for several years before his father, brother-in-law and he started the Knoxville Lumber Company, which he co-owned and operated until his retirement.

During this time he was also a carpenter and building contractor and was responsible for building over 100 houses in Knoxville.

On March 4, 1967, his wife, Betty, passed away. On July 15, 1968, he was united in marriage to Barbara Whitlatch.

J.C. had spent most of his adult life in Knoxville, but in 1998, he and Barbara moved to Prescott, Arizona. J.C. had many hobbies. In his younger years, he enjoyed spending time on the farm with his family. He also
liked to play cards. One of his greatest loves was raising pigeons. He showed them and raced them and won many prizes.

J.C. passed away on Saturday, September 30, 2006, at the Yavapai Regional Medical Center in Prescott, Arizona at the age of 85 years, 4 months, and 19 days.
dJames Brubaker
He was preceded in death by his parents; his first wife, Betty Mae; twin sons; granddaughter, Kathy; and sister Doris Jean Patterson.

Those left to honor his memory include his wife, Barb of Prescott, Arizona; sons, James (Pat) of Coal Valley, Illinois, and Steve (Mary) of Cedar Rapids; daughters, Nancy Beller and Diane (Jack) McDonald, all of Nevada, Missouri, and Elaine (John) Jordan of Knoxville; step-sons, Bill Whitlatch of Prescott, Arizona, and Mike (Shelley) Whitlatch of Tucson, Arizona; eleven grandchildren and six great-grandchildren.