Mr. James William Waugh, 92, of Burlington, Iowa, passed away Tuesday evening, November 11, 2025, sixteen days before his 93rd birthday.
Born on November 27, 1932, in Burlington, he was the son of William J. and Ethel V. (Kurka) Waugh. On February 17, 1962, in Burlington, he married Virginia K. Galbraith. She preceded him in death on October 20, 2002.
Jim was a graduate of Burlington High School in 1951 and Burlington Junior College in 1953. He entered the Army in December of 1953, attending Signal Corps School in Ft. Monmouth, New Jersey. He became a microwave radio repairman serving in Japan until 1955. He separated from the Army as a SGT First Class and then transferred to the Army Reserves and the Iowa National Guard. Combined between the Army and National Guard, he had 26 years of military service.
Jim began his working career for his father and Uncle Harry at Waugh Brothers Appliance store as a shipping clerk during his college years. He also worked at B.L. Robinson Company as a receiving clerk before becoming the full-time Administrator of the Burlington National Guard Armory, from July 1962 until April 1983. In the fall of 1984, Jim became Administrator of the Moose Lodge #579 in Burlington for many years.
He attended First United Methodist Church and was very involved with raising funds for Mooseheart home for children in Illinois, Moosehaven retirement home in Florida, Little League Baseball, “Say No to Drugs" program, restoration of Yellowstone Park, and local charities such as YMCA Camps and The Salvation Army. He was a member of the Burlington Sportsman’s Club.
Survivors include two sons: Stephen E. Waugh of Des Moines, IA, and Matthew W. (Julie) Waugh of Smyrna, TN; grandson Parker James Waugh; brother John (Janice) Waugh of Louisville, KY; and nieces and nephews.
He was preceded in death by his parents, wife, and sister, Suzanne Ridge.
The family will receive friends at the Lunning Chapel on Friday, November 21, 2025, from 5:00 to 7:00 p.m., followed by military rites conducted by the Burlington Area Veterans Honor Guard.
The graveside funeral service for Mr. James William Waugh will be held at 2:00 p.m. Saturday, November 22, 2025, at the Aspen Grove Cemetery with Pastor John DeLlanos officiating.
In lieu of flowers, memorials have been established for the Alzheimer’s Association and Southeast Iowa Regional Hospice House.