James Thomas Vail

James Thomas Vail, 71, of Cedar Rapids, Iowa, died at his home on Friday, April 10, 2026. A memorial service will be held at 4 p.m. on Sunday, April 19, 2026, at Prairie Bible Church in Cedar Rapids, with a visitation beginning at 3 p.m.

James was born on March 5, 1955, in Des Moines, Iowa, to William D. and Gladys R. (DeBerg) Vail. He served honorably in the United States Army from 1972 to 1973 during the Vietnam War. James married Karen Keller on September 11, 1973, and together they had three children. The couple later divorced. On June 27, 1987, he married Joyce Lussenhop in Cedar Rapids. James worked for Klingler Paint & Wallpaper until his retirement in 2008. He was a member of Prairie Bible Church in Cedar Rapids. James was very active in scouting and earned his Eagle Scout rank at the age of 13. He was an avid hunter and fisherman who loved the outdoors and camping.

Survivors include his wife of 38 years, Joyce Vail of Cedar Rapids; his children, Charles W. (Kristen) Vail of Missouri, Coralie J. Vail (Mike Saluri), and Krystl Vail, both of Cedar Rapids; his stepdaughter, Molly Schneider of Pennsylvania; five grandchildren; and his siblings, Jackie Price of Cedar Rapids, and Joan Franks of Oxford Junction, Iowa.

He was preceded in death by his parents, and his former wife, Karen Keller.

Memorials may be directed to the family.