James M. Livengood

James Michael Livengood, age 84, a man of great integrity and kindness, passed peacefully while holding his wife's hand on August 12, 2025. Jim was lucky to live a full and wonderful life with his best friend, Mary June (McDonough) Livengood, whom he married in 1963.

Jim grew up in Burlington, Iowa, where his gift for conversation meant he never met a stranger. His word was his bond, and to those who knew him, a handshake from Jim was as solid as a signed contract. He was a master storyteller—whether in print, on the airwaves, or in telling long, laughter-filled jokes.

Jim was a proud graduate of Burlington High School (1959) and Iowa State University (1963), where he earned a degree in technical journalism and enjoyed camaraderie as a member of Sigma Phi Epsilon fraternity.

His career in communications began in 1958 at KBUR radio in Burlington. He recalled in a 1987 Hawk Eye interview, “I was hired Nov. 29, 1958, and was paid $1 per hour… It was the best thing that could’ve ever happened to me.”

Jim worked for The Hawk Eye newspaper in the summer of 1961. Following college graduation he worked for the Columbia Basin Herald in Moses Lake, Washington. In 1964, he returned to KBUR as an advertising representative, later becoming advertising manager in 1978 and, in 1987, general manager of KBUR and its sister station KGRS-FM. In 1988, Jim and his wife Mary, along with a partner, purchased the radio stations, returning them to local ownership for the first time since 1961. Jim and Mary retired after selling the stations in 1996 and were lucky to share nearly 30 additional years together with family, friends and exploring the world.

Among Jim’s many civic and volunteer endeavors were: Burlington Area Chamber of Commerce, Burlington Area Development Corporation, Burlington Medical Center Institutional Review Committee, Burlington Noon Lions Club, Des Moines County March of Dimes, GRADE A+, Great River Health Systems, Iowa Area #16 Adult Education Committee, Iowa Broadcasters Association (past president), Knights of Columbus, National Association of Broadcasters, Southeast Iowa Council Boy Scout Advisory Board, St. Francis Hospital Board of Directors and the Burlington Area United Way. He was also a 40-year member of Carthage Lake Hunting and Fishing Lodge.

Jim enjoyed camping, fishing, and duck hunting, and later developed a passion for snorkeling and scuba diving. He also earned his pilot’s license as a young adult and enjoyed flying his family. Jim also sailed competitively and leisurely, with the Virgin Islands and the islands of the Lesser Antilles among his favorite destinations.

Jim loved to explore and connect with the world through travel as well as amateur radio. He secured his first amateur radio license at age 14 and remained active for another 70 years. He proudly participated in a plethora of radio contests and some DX-peditions in remote parts of the world. He even carried a portable HAM radio in his travels to be able to transmit from other countries. His primary call sign was W0NB, which now becomes a silent key.

Always up for an adventure, Jim immersed himself in learning a new language in his 70s and hiked the entirety of the Camino de Santiago with Mary.

He utilized his time at home during the early days of the COVID pandemic to write a collection of stories. A family favorite passage in the book reflects upon the moment he first met Mary while he was crafting milkshakes at the Dairy Sweet when he was only 16. He said, "I think my heart did a flip-flop right then." They became fast friends and, well, the rest is a spectacular love story that spanned well over six decades.

Jim is survived by the love of his life, Mary Livengood; daughters Susan (Robb) Junker, Shivaun (Chris) McCann, and Jennifer (Seth) Baruch; grandchildren Alex and Nick (Grace) Junker, Keely and James Michael McCann, and Benjamin, Maya, and Olivia Baruch. He is also survived by his brother Tom Livengood and sister Kathy Livengood.

He was preceded in death by his parents, Glenn and Mary Rita (Kelly) Livengood.

Jim will be remembered for his boundless curiosity, devotion to family and the way he made friends everywhere he went.

Respecting Jim’s wishes, his body has been cremated, and a private celebration of life will be held at a later date with “his girls” and their families.

Jim’s family kindly invites those who wish to honor him to share a memory or message on St. John Funeral Home online message board at www.stjohnfh.com.