James "Jim" Michael Van Dorn

James “Jim” Van Dorn, age 59, passed away on January 9, 2026, at his home in Stuart, Iowa. Funeral services will be held at 1:00 p.m. on Friday, January 30, 2026, at the Caldwell Parrish Funeral Home, located at 1721 Park Street, Perry, Iowa. Visitation will take place one hour prior to the service, beginning at 12:00 p.m. Interment will be at Violet Hill Cemetery in Perry. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be directed to the family. Online condolences may be shared at www.caldwellparrish.com.

James Michael was born on May 25, 1966, to Judith Gale Myers and David Alvin Shearer at King's Daughters Hospital in Perry, Iowa. Judy and Curtis Van Dorn raised Jim and his brother, Jeff, in Perry, Iowa. He graduated from Perry High School with the class of 1984. He biked his paper route, enjoyed playing in the high school band, and served as an assistant coach for Jeff’s baseball team while his mother was the head coach.

After high school, Jim attended both Drake University and Simpson College studying music.

On October 10, 1997, he married Melissa Hodne. They later divorced. Their union was blessed with two children, Anna “Fern” Laurel and James “Jimmy” Ronald.

Over the years Jim had many work adventures: Pucci’s pizza, Adventureland, Pegasus TV, Woodward Academy, Campbell University, Earlham Public Schools, and Urbandale Public Schools.

Jim’s life was dedicated to playing music. He played with countless bands and groups such as Chad Elliott & the Redemptions, Justus, The Spiritual Vibrations, Sacred Heart Sax and Brass, Perry Municipal Summer Band, Community Jazz Center (CJC) Big Band, Greater Des Moines Community Band, Des Moines Community Orchestra, and Des Moines Playhouse. ANYBODY who needed a drummer could come to him and find joy and kindness, as well as outstanding playing.

Jim is survived by his children, Fern Van Dorn and Jimmy Van Dorn; his brother and sister-in-law, Jeff and Alicia Van Dorn; and his sister, Vika Van Dorn; and stepfather, Mike Mickelson.

He is preceded in death by his father, David Shearer; stepfather, Curtis Van Dorn; and his mother, Judy Mickelson.