Don F. Job, 89, of Oskaloosa, died Friday, Jan. 27, 2017, at the MHP Hospice Serenity House in Oskaloosa. He was born Nov. 10, 1927, in Des Moines, the son of Harley and Louise Floyd Job. He graduated from Oskaloosa High School with the Class of 1946. Pursuing his passion for education, he earned his B.A. in education from William Penn University in 1953, M.Ed. from Drake University in 1967, and continued post-graduate work at Drake and the University of Iowa earning his administrative degree.
June 3, 1951, Don was united in marriage to Mary Ellis, at Spencer Chapel on the campus of William Penn. Don was a career educator and lifelong learner. He started his career in education serving as the principal at Des Moines Christian School. He later worked as a school guidance counselor at Eddyville and Oskaloosa. In 1971, he accepted the position of senior high principal at Oskaloosa High School. In 1974, he went to work as the area guidance coordinator for Indian Hills Community College in Ottumwa. He continued to be a presence on the Indian Hills Campus as an adjunct professor for Buena Vista University for several years. He retired from teaching in 2006.
Throughout his life, Don was committed to actively serving the Lord. As a young man, he served as the director of Youth for Christ in Des Moines. In addition to his teaching and administrative career, Don, with his wife Mary by his side, pastored many churches. His first church was in Barnes City. He later pastored in Kansas City. He then returned to Iowa and went on to pastor several small-town churches for the next few decades including, Eddyville, Lower Grove, and Lancaster. For the past 25 years, he has been the pastor of Searsboro Community Church. He had a heart for community churches and enjoyed being the pastor to all of the small-town Iowa congregations he felt privileged to serve.
Don was not a passive professional; he believed in being involved in professional organ-izations for the advancement of the teaching profession. He did this by being involved in the National Education Association, National Association of Secondary School Principals, Iowa State Education Association, Iowa Association of Secondary School Principals, Oskaloosa Education Association, American Personnel and Guidance Association, Iowa Personnel and Guidance Association, and the Iowa Vocational Guidance Association. Specifically, he served in various capacities for the following organizations: Past president of the District Iowa Personnel and Guidance Association, board member of the local Mental Health Association, Area XV Counselors Advisory Committee, and the Chairman of Southeast “6” Principals.
Throughout his career, Don was a guest lecturer at many schools, colleges, and community service organizations. Don also believed in giving back to his community by serving as past president of the Oskaloosa Kiwanis, helping with the Mental Health Association, and helping with other various community service organizations.
Don was a member of the Fellowship Bible Church in Oskaloosa, where he was an adult Sunday school teacher. He also served as pulpit supply for various churches in the area. Throughout his life, Don’s Christian faith was his compass. He was a devoted husband, father, grandfather, minister, and educator.
His family includes his wife of over 65 years, Mary Job of Oskaloosa; two children, Kathleen Larsen and her husband Don Green of Oskaloosa, and Stephen (Helen) Job of Lexington, IL; five grandchildren: Scott Larsen, Nicholas Larsen, Meghan (Larsen) Pommer, Daniel Job, and Jennifer Job; two great-grandchildren, Evan Larsen and Annabeth Larsen; and a brother, David (Sharon) Graham of University Park.
Don was preceded in death by his parents; a granddaughter, Amanda Sue Larsen; and a son-in-law, Tom Larsen.
Funeral services were held Tuesday, Jan. 31, at 11 a.m. in the Fellowship Bible Church in Oskaloosa with the Rev. Rodney DeRonde officiating. Private family burial was held in the Forest Cemetery. Memorials may be made to Fellowship Bible Church or Searsboro Community Church.
