Ernest James "Jim" Leyden, age 72, of Riverside, Iowa, passed away Saturday, September 20, 2014, at the Cleveland Clinic in Cleveland, Ohio, following complications from a lung transplant. He was diagnosed with pulmonary fibrosis in 2011.

Celebration of life services will be held 11:00 a.m. Friday, September 26, 2014, at the Jones & Eden Funeral Home in Washington, with Pastor Darryl Carr officiating. Calling hours will begin noon Thursday at the Jones & Eden Funeral Home where the family will receive friends from 6:00 until 8:00 p.m. Thursday evening. Military honors conducted by Washington American Legion Post 29 will take place in conjunction with services Friday morning. Private family interment will take place at a later date at Elm Grove Cemetery in Washington. Memorials have been established for Paws & More Animal Shelter, the Wounded Warrior Project or the Iowa Donor Network. Online condolences may be sent for Jim's family through the web at www.jonesfh.com

Ernest James Leyden was born October 30, 1941, in Washington, Iowa, the eighth of twelve children born to Ernest Jacob and Helen (Kimmel) Leyden. Jim grew up in Washington and graduated from Washington High School with the Class of 1960.

He served three years in the United States Army, including thirteen months in Vietnam. On March 7, 1964, Jim and Donna Bealer eloped to Kahoka, Missouri. Jim spent thirty years with Eagle Discount Food Centers managing stores in Cedar Rapids and Iowa City. Following his retirement from Eagles in 1993, Jim became an account manager and team leader for Proctor and Gamble.

A forty year resident of Riverside, Jim had a long record of community service which included being president of Senior Village, chairman of the Betterment Committee, and chairman of the Community Visioning Committee. He was instrumental in the completion of the welcoming signs and the Riverside Trail. He received a Governor's Volunteer Award in 2012.

Jim's many interests included woodworking, gardening, fishing and golfing – especially with the Tuesday Cancer Card Group. He was an avid Green Bay Packers Fan and enjoyed spending time with his family, his grandchildren and his dog, Jackson.

He is survived by his wife of 50 years, Donna, of Riverside, IA; daughter, Lisa Metz and husband Tim of Riverside, IA; son, David Leyden and wife Kym of Iowa City, IA; grandchildren: Taylor and Emily Leyden and Molly and Megan Metz; siblings: Phil Leyden and wife Sally; Kim Leyden and wife Joan; Roger Leyden and wife Linda; Mike Leyden and wife Jane; Eric Leyden and wife Sherry; Treva Kilgore all of Washington, IA; Katie Sulzner and husband Keith of Iowa City, IA; Ina Rae Gappa of Wilton, IA; Jean Sliekers and husband John of Waterloo, IA; brothers-in-law: Steve Bealer and wife Joni of Rogers, AR; and Jim Wilson and wife Marcia of Haskins, IA; and many nieces and nephews.

Jim was preceded in death by his parents and his two sisters, Mary Ann Davison and Cheri Lynn Gingerich.