James Alfred Mattke passed away on Monday, August 27 at the University of Iowa Hospital & Medical Center due to a tragic complication from knee replacement surgery. Jim was born March 31, 1933 in Waverly, Iowa to Erwalt and Theresa Mattke. He graduated from Waverly High School in 1951, graduated with a B.A. from Wartburg College in 1955, and an M.A. from Drake University in 1969. While at Wartburg, Jim met his future wife in the Band. He married Mary Louise Pollock on June 26, 1955 in Akron, Iowa. Not long after, Jim was drafted by the Selective Service and was sent to Ft. Chaffee, Arkansas, Ft. Dix, New Jersey, and was then stationed in Wiesbaden, Germany. Mary Lou moved to Germany in 1956 and their first daughter, Ruth Ann, was born there in 1957. Upon his discharge from the Army and returning to the U.S., Jim found a teaching position in the Nevada School System in 1957. Jim taught in Nevada his entire career of 35 years. In addition to his role as a Business educator, he was also a Coach and Athletic Director. Jim coached 9th grade football from 1957 to 1961 and was assistant boy's basketball coach from 1957 to 1967. He assumed the duties of Athletic Director in 1966; a position he would hold for 21 years. Jim was extremely active in community and school organizations. He was a charter member of the Iowa High School Athletic Director's Association. He was elected in 1993 to the Iowa High School Athletic Director's Hall of Fame, which was his first year of eligibility. Jim was also elected to the Nevada High School Hall of Fame in 2002 for his contributions to athletics in Nevada. Jim was a charter member of the Kiwanis Club of Nevada, in which he recently received recognition as a Legion of Honor member by serving the organization for 30 years. Jim was also a member of the Nevada Parks and Recreation Board and served as chairperson. He was a member of the Nevada Athletic Booster Club, Leadership Nevada, the Nevada Community Band, and the Memorial Lutheran Church. He was a member of the Nevada Community Education Association where he served as treasurer. Jim also served on the curriculum and wellness committees for the Nevada schools. He enjoyed serving Meals on Wheels to the community. From an early age, Jim was fascinated by airplanes. He always enjoyed building and flying his radio-controlled model airplanes. Jim was a member of the Central Iowa Aero Modeler Club. He loved meeting his buddies at the "flying field". Jim's other favorite hobby was collecting antiques and enjoyed refinishing antique furniture with his father. Even in retirement, Jim was still active in the Nevada schools. He was the first to be called as a substitute teacher and everyone in the community with kids in sports has seen him "running the clock". Jim loved traveling to Colorado and hiking in the Rocky Mountains. He was enthusiastic about talking to people and educating them about Rocky Mountain National Park. Jim was preceded in death by his parents, one half-brother, and many aunts, uncles and cousins. Jim is survived by his wife, Mary Lou, 3 daughters, Ruth, Rebecca, and Jean, 2 grandchildren, Keaton and Emma, as well as his many dear friends throughout the country. Memorial Services will be held at 2:00pm on Sunday, September 9 at Memorial Lutheran Church in Nevada, Iowa. In lieu of flowers, the family has requested that donations be made to the Alzheimer's Association or Kiwanis Club of Nevada.