James "Jim" VanderBeek

James "Jim" VanderBeek, 79 of New Sharon passed away Sunday morning, January 11, 2026 at the Mahaska Health Partnership Hospice Serenity House in Oskaloosa. Funeral services will begin at 10:30 am Friday, January 16, 2026 at New Life Fellowship Church in New Sharon. Burial will be held in the Friends Cemetery in New Sharon. Visitation will begin after 12:00 pm Thursday, January 15, 2026 at the New Life Fellowship Church in New Sharon with the family present to greet friends and relatives from 4:00 pm to 7:00 pm. In honor of Jim, please wear your favorite racing shirt for visitation. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to the New Sharon Fire and Rescue or the Mahaska Health Partnership Hospice Serenity House. Holland-Coble Funeral Home of New Sharon is in charge of arrangements.

It's hard to sum up nearly 80 years of a life so fully lived. Jim worked hard and played hard, always setting goals, making lists, and doing whatever it took to accomplish what he set his mind to.

James Dean VanderBeek, the son of Peter and Louise (Walraven) VanderBeek was born on June 12, 1946 in Oskaloosa Iowa. He was a hard worker whose strong work ethic was instilled early in life by his parents and growing up on the farm with his sister Paula and brother Rodger. Jim grew up attending the Central Reformed Christian Church in Oskaloosa, and this faith stayed with him throughout his life.

After high school, Jim attended Central College in Pella for a short time before joining the Army National Guard, where he served for several years. Jim truly loved the building business. He began his career in 1966 with Bloom Builders in Oskaloosa, starting as a crew member. Through dedication and skill, he worked his way up to crew foreman and eventually into sales, where his talents and leadership were recognized. In 1974, Jim franchised out and established Beek Builders in Hannibal, Missouri, which he operated until the mid-1980s. Around that time, he also opened Kawasaki of Missouri, a motorcycle shop in Columbia, Missouri-combining his entrepreneurial spirit with his lifelong love of motorsports. It was during this period that Jim met Barbi, and they later married. After selling the motorcycle shop, they moved to Wellington, Missouri, where Jim worked as a sales representative for Bowman Distribution.

In 1985, Jim returned to Iowa and rejoined Bloom Builders as a salesman. He later worked for Pro-Line Builders and after a short time in sales purchased the business, operating it until 2016 when he semi-retired. Jim continued to sell and manage projects under the new ownership until 2025. Jim was an exceptional salesman who understood the building process from start to finish and was never afraid to roll up his sleeves and work on job sites. Jim was a man of his word, respected by colleagues and customers alike. Over the years, Jim was honored on several occasions for his outstanding leadership and received Builder of the Year awards. Jim's business values-hard work, Faith, integrity, and respect-are deeply rooted and were passed on to all his children.

Jim always kept himself busy doing activities of all kinds. His competitive spirit showed early on. During his teenage years, he would play one-on-one basketball with his brother Rodger and according to him would never let him win. He would refuse to quit in the evenings until he had made 25 free throws in a row. That determination stayed with him throughout his life.

An avid golfer, Jim was a member of the Prairie Knolls golf league. He was on a bowling league for several years, played slow-pitch softball, and had played baseball in high school. Jim enjoyed games of all kinds-ping pong, pool, and foosball. Family gatherings would often involve card games, especially Rook, Rummy, and Phase 10.

Jim rode motorcycles and competed in enduros and hare scrambles. He loved riding snowmobiles and taking trips up north with his buddies. Dirt track racing held a special place in his heart. Racing was truly in his blood. He would spend countless hours prepping and grinding tires to have them "just right". He was a very respected source of knowledge and friendship at tracks across the country. His love for motorsports ran deep and would shape many of the passions he carried throughout his life.

He loved music and loved attending many bluegrass and country band performances. Jim and his wife Barbi enjoyed many trips to Branson with family over the years. Jim was involved as a member in several churches in the New Sharon area and helped build several Church Recreation Centers and places of Fellowship. Jim and his wife Barbi were engrained in the community, supporting local business and donating to many local charities and functions of all kinds.

Whether it was at a racetrack, park, campsite, traveling, going to concerts, or just simply being home, Jim enjoyed time with family the most. Jim loved his title of "Grandpa Beek", "Papa Beek", and "Grandpa Racer" by his grandkids and great grandkids. Above all, Jim was funny, quirky, driven, and deeply devoted to his family. His passions, humor, and competitive spirit will be remembered and missed by all who knew him.

His legacy will be remembered by his children, Lori (Joe) King of Drakesville, IA, Michelle "Moe" (Raymond) Charlton of Hannibal, MO, Brett "Mack" (Angie) VanderBeek of Waukee, IA, Jeanne (Jake) Muckerman of Cape Girardeau, MO, and Zack (Brittany) VanderBeek of New Sharon, IA; his grandchildren: Randall, Nick, Luke (Lori King), Ashli, Jade, Tayler, Raylynn, Raymond (Moe Charlton) Alex, Aubrey, Owen, Eli (Mack Vanderbeek) Jake (Jeanne Muckerman) Addison, Ellianna, Hallie, Jameson (Zack Vanderbeek): 20 great grandkids, brother, Rodger (Patti) and sister, Paula, cousins along with several nieces, nephews and many, many friends.

Jim was preceded in death by his wife, Barbara Michelle VanderBeek, his parents, Pete and Louise VanderBeek, and infant brother Peter VanderBeek.