James Herbert Kilmer, of Stuart Iowa passed away peacefully at the age of 80 years old. Per his wishes he was cremated at Johnson Family Funeral Home & Crematory in Stuart and will be inurned in Glendale Cemetery in Des Moines.

He will be lovingly remembered by his children: Melissa Walker (John), Tom Kilmer (Carol) and Scott Kilmer (Michelle); his grandchildren: Tanner, Charlie, Laura, Katelynn, Tasha, Emily, Amber and Patrick; his great grandchildren; his twin sister, Judy Crabb, from Winterset, Iowa, as well as numerous relatives and friends.

He was preceded in death by his loving wife, Linda Kay Kilmer, and his parents, Clell and Lila Kilmer.

Jim was a proud veteran of the United States Navy. Jim served 4 years in the Navy. His first ship was the USS Morton where his crew assisted on the mission to intercept signal intelligence for SIGAD USN 467P. He was transferred to the USS Higbee, lovingly known as 'Leaping Lenah'. In 1965, his crew screened task force 77 and gave support to the 9th marine brigade in DaNang, Vietnam, and supported NASA's Gemini spacewalk retrieval. Jim served in the Cuban blockage under President Kennedy. He taught judo for 2 years on the ship. His famous quote was, "you can use your size and weight to leverage against any man." Jim loved his family, fishing, all animals, playing cards and golf in his free time. He retired from the Veteran's hospital in Des Moines, Iowa.