James William Titus, Jr., 69, of Anamosa, died surrounded by his loving family on Wednesday April 16, 2014, at Mercy Medical Center, Cedar Rapids, following a long battle with COPD. Funeral Service: 10:30 a.m. Saturday, April 19, 2014, at Murdoch Funeral Home & Cremation Center, Marion, by Pastor Adam Graunke. The family will greet friends one hour prior to the service at the funeral home on Saturday. Burial: Oak Shade Cemetery, Marion.

Survivors include his wife, Kay; children, Troy (Sara) Titus of Martelle, IA, and Shawna (Cory) Merrill of Mankato, MN; six grandchildren, Alexander Merrill, William Merrill, Alaythia Titus, Jecoliah Titus, Serayah Titus, and Baby Titus, expected in June; sister, Pam Gehring; and sister and brothers-in-law, JoAnn and John Gresh, and Dianne and Darrell Shirk.

He was preceded in death by his parents; father and mother-in-law, Gale and Vivian Batchelder; and sister, Judy Titus.

James was born October 14, 1944, in Cedar Rapids, the son of James William Sr. and Pearl “Loraine” (Austin) Titus. He graduated from Marion Independent High School in 1963, and was a veteran of the U.S. Army having served during the Vietnam War. Jim married Kay Batchelder on March 25, 1966, in Marion. He worked as a construction superintendent and at the Men’s Reformatory in Anamosa. Jim attended the Martelle Christian Church. Family was very important to Jim and he loved his wife, children and grandchildren very much. He enjoyed fishing and hunting; was a talented artist, and a NASCAR enthusiast.

Memorials may be directed to the family in Jim’s memory.