Jimmy Earl Wall

Jimmy Earl Wall was born November 4,1931 in Beaconsfield, Iowa, The son of John A. and Margaret (Leethy) Wall. Jimmy was raised in Des Moines and attended Park Avenue School, graduated from Des Moines Tech High School and attended Iowa State University a short while. He met his wife Barbara at Riverview Park in Des Moines, Iowa and they were married November 14, 1954. They had one daughter and two sons. 

As a young man he worked for Iowa Power & Light Company. Jimmy served in the Naval Reserves for 42 years and was a police officer for the City of Des Moines. After several years on patrol, Jimmy became a detective. He eventually became a liaison officer in the south side school system, Howe, Studebaker, Weeks, Brody, McCombs, and Kurtz. He retired at age 55 after 26 years of service.

Following his retirement, Jimmy did private security work for casinos in Las Vegas as well as in Iowa, including riverboats. Eventually learning to deal cards and working as a dealer. In his spare time, Jimmy grew large vegetable gardens every season as well as canned an assortment of vegetables. He had a love of garlic, processing his own aged garlic and sold it at a few grocery stores and farmers markets. He was a proud south-sider learning from friends how to make Italian foods, bread and grow grapes to make wine. He played bocci ball/cards every Thursday behind Scavo’s store and Tumea & Sons. Jimmy was a 50+ member of the Za-Ga-Zig Shrine and the Provost Guard as well as being active in the Southgate, Westgate and Capital Masonic lodges for 50+ years. He eventually became the Grand Master of Capitol Lodge. He also enjoyed traveling during his retirement years. He and Barbara spent many years on the Las Vegas Strip participating in slot/card tournaments. Laughlin, Nevada was another favorite as well as Reno.

Jimmy passed away Thursday, August 28, 2025, at his home in Des Moines, at the age of 93 years.

He was preceded in death by his parents, brother Jerry and his wife, Madonna, Barbara's parents, Myrl and Helen Barnett, and brother-in-law, Ken Stuart.

Those left to honor Jimmy’s memory include his wife over 70 years, Barbara; daughter, Susan (Ed) Gordon; sons: Michael Wall and Steven Wall; 6 grandchildren; 10 great-grandchildren; sister, Linda Stuart and many extended family members and friends. We would like to thank all those who helped care for Jimmy, especially these past few weeks. We also want to give you a huge thank you to Katie for going over and beyond caring for him.