Jim Headlee

Jim Headlee, 74, of Atlantic, Iowa, died Wednesday, November 9, 2022, at the Cass County Memorial Hospital in Atlantic.

Jimmie Ray was born on May 2, 1948, in Carroll, Iowa, the son of John E. and Lillian Esther (Pedersen) Headlee.  He graduated from Atlantic High School in 1966.  Following graduation, he worked at Henningsen’s Construction until being drafted into the United States Army.  After his time in the service, he returned to Henningsen’s where he worked in the Steel Division as a Foreman for the next 44 years.

On May 8, 1971, he was united in marriage to Linda Marie Larsen at Our Saviors Lutheran Church in Audubon. 

Jim was a member of St. Paul’s Lutheran Church, the Atlantic Elks Lodge #445, and the American Legion Post #43.  He and Linn looked forward to getting together with their friends in the car club they were a part of, “The Gas Holes.” A regular pastime was cruising southwest Iowa on their way to car shows in Jim’s prized 1972 Red Chevy Nova Super Sport.

A few of his favorite things were motorsports (drag racing being at the top of the list!), the Kansas City Chiefs, the Chicago Cubs and Colorado, especially Estes Park. He loved music and you would often hear him singing or humming a tune, whatever was on his heart in that moment.  Jim’s grandchildren brought him great joy; his whole being lit up whenever they were around! He was always there for his family, friends and coworkers—steady and never one to complain.  Jim was a man of few words; his actions shaping how he will be remembered by his family and friends…and as Jimmie Ray Headlee, himself, would say, “It’ll Be Alright.”

Jim’s big, kind heart and smile, some might say a smirk, will be missed by his wife of 51 years, Linn of Atlantic, IA; son, Chad Ryan Headlee of Denver, CO and his son, Lincoln Ryan Headlee; daughter, Jaime Lynn Bergstrom of Lakewood, CO and her daughter, Kora Lynn Bergstrom; sister, Carolyn (James) Jones of Kearney, NE; brother-in-law, Mike (Nancy) Larsen of Polk City, IA; sister-in-law, Krista Larsen of Omaha, NE; brother-in-law, Paul vanVleit of Omaha, NE; nieces and nephews, Amanda Jones of Lakewood, CO, Jeffrey (Sara) Jones of Kearney, NE, Lisa (Brooks) Witter of Lyons, CO, Kevin Larsen of Ames, IA and Craig (Lori) Larsen of Bondurant, IA; and many extended family and friends.

He is preceded in death by his parents, John and Lillian Headlee; mother and father-in-law, Erma and Lyle Larsen; and brother-in-law, Curtis Larsen.

Visitation with the family present will be held from 4:00 p.m. – 7:00 p.m., Friday, November 18, 2022, at Roland Funeral Home in Atlantic.

Funeral services will be held at 10:30 a.m., Saturday, November 19, 2022, at St. Paul’s Lutheran Church in Atlantic with Pastor Lauri Boysen officiating.  Burial, with military honors by the Atlantic Color Guard, will be held in the Atlantic Cemetery.  Classic cars are welcome in the procession to the cemetery.  The service will be recorded and available on the funeral home website by noon on Sunday.

Memorials may be directed to the family for designation at a later date.

Roland Funeral Service is caring for Jim’s family and his arrangements.  Condolences may be left at www.rolandfuneralservice.com.