James David Raife

James (“Jim”) Raife of Des Moines, IA passed away on January 18, 2026 just shy of his 72nd birthday. His unique and gentle spirit will be deeply missed. Jim was born Feb 2, 1954 in Des Moines to Betty (Fritz) Raife and John Raife, the third of four brothers – John, Ted, and Tom – along with a close knit extended family. Growing up, Jim loved golf, art, and music, including ballet classes and singing in the Plymouth Church choir. As a teenager he learned guitar and began writing songs. Jim graduated from Roosevelt High School in 1972. Every summer, he relished the family’s trips to his grandpa’s cabin in Minnesota for lake swimming, fishing and general mischief. Jim continued this summer tradition at the family cottage with his own kids.

In his twenties Jim started working in a natural food store, Greens & Grains, where he met Cindy (Hanrahan) Raife. Sharing a love of cooking, prairie walks, and creative pursuits, Jim and Cindy married November 17, 1979. They would spend 47 years together and raise three kids: Maggie, Dylan, and Sam. Jim was a fun-loving, goofy, and caring father. He passed his unique sense of humor on to his kids, and the family was usually laughing about something or other.

In 1988, Jim and Cindy bought the store where they both worked, naming it New City Market and moving it to 48th & University in Des Moines. There they created a (then rare) source for organic and healthy foods, along with a rich community of customers, employees, and friends. Jim knew most shoppers by name and loved chatting with everyone who came in. Beyond his day job, Jim often served as the musical coordinator for Old Time Country Music for PBS where he meticulously charted the performances for the camera crew.

In 2018, Jim’s first granddaughter, Lillia, was born – followed by grandson Wilder the next year. Jim was an enthusiastically playful Grandpa, much loved by his grandkids.

Jim played many a musical instrument including guitar, fiddle, mandolin and even attempted the saxophone one summer to his family’s great exasperation. He was a lifelong learner who exercised his wit and clever mind, often staying up late writing poems and short stories - or composing tribute songs to his mom, Grandma Betty. Jim remained social through his final years;he loved to make friends or spend time with his brothers and family. He adored his wife Cindy and kept their deep bond throughout their years together.

Jim is survived by his wife Cindy; children Maggie (Melissa), Dylan (Reina), Sam (Vanina); grandchildren Lillia, Wilder; his brothers John (Kate), Ted (Barb), and Tom (Lori); and many beloved extended family members. A memorial will be held on February 15, 2026 at 2:00pm, immediately followed by a reception, at Plymouth Congregational Church in Des Moines. In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations to the DMARC Food Pantry Network (dmarcunited.org) or Iowa Migrant Movement for Justice (iowammj.org) in Jim’s memory.

To view a livestream of the memorial service, please visit: https://www.youtube.com/@PlymouthChurchDSM/streams