James R. “Jim” Clabaugh, 89, of Cherokee passed away at his home on Sunday, Oct. 4, 2026.
Memorial services will be Monday, Oct. 12, at 11 a.m. at Boothby Funeral Home Cherokee. Pastor Mike Agnew will officiate. Visitation with the family present will take place on Sunday, Oct. 11, from 3-5 p.m. at Boothby Funeral Home. Online condolences may be left at www.boothbyfuneral.com.
In lieu of flowers, the family requests memorials be made to Cherokee Regional Hospice.
Jim was born on Jan. 28, 1937, to Earl and Dayle (Weeks) Clabaugh at Ames. He attended school in Humboldt and graduated in 1955. He attended college at Iowa State University in Ames. He was united in marriage to Barbara Patterson on Feb. 14, 1972.
He began working at Dodger Gym in Humboldt for his dad. Jim owned and operated Fashionette clothing store in Cherokee and six other locations including Clarion, Hampton, Spencer, Algona, Storm Lake and Le Mars for 50 years alongside his wife, Barb, until his retirement in 1997.
He was a member of St. Paul's United Methodist Church in Cherokee. He served as past mayor of Cherokee and was on the Cherokee City Council. He was on the Cherokee Chamber Board, Industrial Development board, hospital community board and the Cherokee Country Club board.
Jim loved traveling cross country on his motorcycle with Barb. Together they were able to see 48 of the 50 United States. They enjoyed traveling and spending time with his family. Jim especially loved playing golf and spending time at the course.
He was preceded in death by his parents; brother Ronald Clabaugh and his wife Colleen; sisters-in-law, Kathy Patterson and Patricia Teske; and brother-in-law Robert Patterson.
Jim will be lovingly remembered by his wife Barbara of Cherokee; children: Janelle (AJ) Tentinger of Le Mars; Deborah Erickson of Cherokee; Kurtis Clabaugh of Cherokee; Kevin (Stephanie) Clabaugh of West Des Moines; Mike (Beth) Erickson of Mesa Ariz.; seven grandchildren; nine great-grandchildren; and brother-in-law Kenny Patterson of Cherokee.
