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</o:shapelayout></xml><![endif]--></head><body lang=EN-US link="#0563C1" vlink="#954F72" style='word-wrap:break-word'><div class=WordSection1><p class=MsoNormal>Hello, <o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>I am sending this obituary because this gentleman has a connection with Alaska. Read and find out what that is. Some of you know! <o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal><o:p> </o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal><b>Subject:</b> [Tall-Corn] Jim Omvig obituary and service information<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal> <o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>Good Morning Federation Family:<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>I have been asked to repost Jim Omvig’s obituary and service information. Please note there will also be a streaming option for those unable to attend in person. Thanks!<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal> <o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:8.5pt;font-family:"Helvetica Neue"'>James Omvig Obituary</span><o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal style='background:white'><span style='font-size:10.0pt;font-family:"Helvetica Neue";color:#161A1E'> </span><o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal style='background:white'><span style='font-size:10.0pt;font-family:"Helvetica Neue";color:#161A1E'> </span><o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal style='background:white'><span style='font-size:10.0pt;font-family:"Helvetica Neue";color:#161A1E'> </span><o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal style='background:white'><span style='font-size:10.0pt;font-family:"Helvetica Neue";color:#161A1E'>James (Jim) Harlan Omvig of Altoona, Iowa, was born on February 12, 1935 in Roland, Iowa, to Herma and Jens Omvig and was raised in Slater, Iowa. Jim graduated from the Iowa Braille and Sight Saving School in Vinton, Iowa and later attended the training center at the Iowa Commission for the Blind, Drake University and completed his higher education at Loyola University of Chicago School of Law, from which he holds a Juris Doctor degree.</span><o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal style='background:white'><span style='font-size:10.0pt;font-family:"Helvetica Neue";color:#161A1E'> </span><o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal style='background:white'><span style='font-size:10.0pt;font-family:"Helvetica Neue";color:#161A1E'>Jim worked in the legal profession for a number of years (being the first blind attorney hired by the National Labor Relations Board in Washington, D.C.) then moved to his passion — working with and for the blind community. He worked first as the Director of the Training and Orientation Center at the Iowa Commission for the Blind. Later he held positions at Social Security Headquarters in Baltimore and as Director of the Alaska Training Center for the Blind. He also authored three books related to blindness training and rehabilitation and was appointed to a committee position by President Bush. </span><o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal style='background:white'><span style='font-size:10.0pt;font-family:"Helvetica Neue";color:#161A1E'> </span><o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal style='background:white'><span style='font-size:10.0pt;font-family:"Helvetica Neue";color:#161A1E'>Jim devoted his life and talents to fighting on behalf of the blind for civil rights, training and equality. As a leader in the National Federation of the Blind, he was instrumental in improving the lives of blind people throughout the country by effecting legal and policy changes and more importantly by inspiring and training blind children and adults to be independent, contributing equals in our society.</span><o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal style='background:white'><span style='font-size:10.0pt;font-family:"Helvetica Neue";color:#161A1E'> </span><o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal style='background:white'><span style='font-size:10.0pt;font-family:"Helvetica Neue";color:#161A1E'>Jim was always a pleasure to be with. His cheerful, positive attitude and personality was evident in his work and personal life and anyone who knew him can attest to it! In his work he taught it is “OK to be blind.” In his personal life he inspired and warmed his family and friends with his love and kindness. His adored and loving wife Sharon was by his side for 48 years of adventures, and they accomplished so much together. He was a very talented musician —played piano, trombone and loved to sing. He funded his law school costs in part by playing and singing in local supper clubs. He also wrote several songs — devotions of love to his wife, primarily.</span><o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal style='background:white'><span style='font-size:10.0pt;font-family:"Helvetica Neue";color:#161A1E'> </span><o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal style='background:white'><span style='font-size:10.0pt;font-family:"Helvetica Neue";color:#161A1E'>He loved to train dogs and had a passion for old cars — he was particularly fond of his 1968 Ford XL convertible. His love of music was constant and very traditional. The Big Band era was his favorite, and Frank Sinatra was always a staple. There was rarely a phone call he didn’t take or a message he didn’t return. His family, friends and colleagues were the recipients of his kindness and generosity throughout his life. </span><o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal style='background:white'><span style='font-size:10.0pt;font-family:"Helvetica Neue";color:#161A1E'> </span><o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal style='background:white'><span style='font-size:10.0pt;font-family:"Helvetica Neue";color:#161A1E'>Jim passed away on Wednesday, April 27, 2022. He was preceded in death by his parents, and brothers Clayton and Peter. He is survived by his wife Sharon, son James II and his wife Jamie, sister Janet Gawith, granddaughter Brittany Nichols (Dan) and great grandsons Seth and Alexander Nichols.</span><o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal style='background:white'><span style='font-size:10.0pt;font-family:"Helvetica Neue";color:#161A1E'> </span><o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal style='background:white'><span style='font-size:10.0pt;font-family:"Helvetica Neue";color:#161A1E'>Memorial contributions can be made to the National Federation of the Blind, 200 East Wells Street at Jernigan Place, Baltimore, MD 21230.</span><o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal style='background:white'><span style='font-size:10.0pt;font-family:"Helvetica Neue";color:#161A1E'> </span><o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal style='background:white'><span style='font-size:10.0pt;font-family:"Helvetica Neue";color:#161A1E'>Visitation will be held at 10 am with a Celebration of Life at 11 am on June 24 at Lutheran Church of Hope, 925 Jordan Creek Parkway, West Des Moines, IA, with a luncheon following. </span><o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal style='background:white'><span style='font-size:10.0pt;font-family:"Helvetica Neue";color:#161A1E'> </span><o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal style='background:white'><span style='font-size:10.0pt;font-family:"Helvetica Neue";color:#161A1E'>The Celebration of Life will be live-streamed at <a href="https://nam12.safelinks.protection.outlook.com/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fprotect-us.mimecast.com%2Fs%2FG90rCn5ND2f7l26gUZkF19%3Fdomain%3Dhopeonline.tv&data=05%7C01%7Cofficeofthepresident%40nfb.org%7C39ae9cd6d57145ef73c808da50539f8e%7C538f3d4b739545cf93fa8dfc2b4a7f62%7C1%7C0%7C637910617352933683%7CUnknown%7CTWFpbGZsb3d8eyJWIjoiMC4wLjAwMDAiLCJQIjoiV2luMzIiLCJBTiI6Ik1haWwiLCJXVCI6Mn0%3D%7C3000%7C%7C%7C&sdata=jM45w8XyTOriH26qCQLR0Vb%2B1jYRTBv1dhSAz%2B41eEI%3D&reserved=0">http://hopeonline.tv/specialevents</a></span><o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal> <o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal> <o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal> <o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-family:"Arial",sans-serif'>Scott Van Gorp, President<br>National Federation of the Blind of Iowa<br><br></span><o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal><o:p> </o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>Bonnie Lucas<br>President<br>National Federation of the Blind of Alaska<br>Cell: 907-301-6808<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>Email: <a href="mailto:lucas.bonnie@gmail.com">lucas.bonnie@gmail.com</a><br><br><o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>Web: <a href="https://alaskanfb.org/">alaskanfb.org</a><a name="_Hlk16627103"><br></a><span style='mso-bookmark:_Hlk16627103'>The National Federation of the Blind knows that blindness is not the characteristic that defines you or your future. Every day we raise the expectations of blind people, because low expectations create obstacles between blind people and our dreams. You can live the life you want; blindness is not what holds you back.</span><span style='mso-bookmark:_Hlk16627103'></span><o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal><o:p> </o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='color:#BFBFBF'>[Delegate-BML]<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><o:p> </o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal><o:p> </o:p></p></div></body></html>