Obituary of Joseph James Cecil

Joseph James Cecil was born May 13, 1920, to Claude and Grace (Shields) Cecil in a farmhouse in Woodbine, Iowa. He grew up in Logan, IA, where he attended grade school and high school. This is where he met his high school sweetheart, Maxine. They were married in Los Vegas in 1942. "Doc" Cecil attended Parson College and the University of Iowa before serving as a B-24 pilot during WW II. He served with the 2nd division of the Eighth Air force assigned to the 466th bomb group located at Attlebringe, England. He completed 35 missions. Following his military discharge "Doc" completed a Veterinarian Medicine Degree from Iowa State University. He practiced veterinary medicine in Armstrong, IA, for 25 years before moving to Charles City, IA, where he worked for Salsbury Laboratories as a swine specialist. He traveled in the U.S. as well as in Europe, Asia and South America for this company. Retiring in 1985, "Doc" and Maxine moved to Spirit Lake and spent winters in Rockport, TX. "Doc" was a member of the First Presbyterian Church, Spirit Lake. He enjoyed gardening, golfing, and spending time with family and friends. Left to cherish "Doc's" , memory are his wife, Maxine; two sons: James Cecil of Estherville, IA; Michael Cecil and his wife Ginny of Irvine, CA; two daughters: Claudia Doty and husband Steve of St. Louis, MO; Debra Michels of Mankato, MN; 8 grandchildren, 6 great-grandchildren, numerous nephews and nieces; brother-in-law: William Boise of Spirit Lake, IA. Preceding "Doc" in death were his parents and his sister, Claudia Boies.