James Patrick Gaffey Jr. 65 of Knoxville, IA passed away at his home Friday, March 21, 2025.
Pat was born November 2nd, 1959, in Albia, IA to Richard Elswick Jr. and Karen Elswick. He was named after Karen’s second husband, James Patrick Gaffey Sr. Pat grew up in Albia, Iowa.
He looked up to his big brother and loved his baby sister and little brother. Pat was naturally athletic growing up and highly competitive. In his youth all the neighborhood kids would gather to form ball teams and play on the dirt field at Washington School. He went on to play little league and high school sports. Pat’s true love was baseball. He shared that passion with his kids and grandchildren. His big brother always said he was faster than the Road Runner. Pat was a pole vaulter in High School. He once cleared 12 feet in pole vaulting, and told his coach he thought he broke his ankle. The coach said, “You didn’t break your ankle or you wouldn’t be able to walk.” Pat went on to run the 220 and someone finally beat the Road Runner. He gloated in Pat’s face. Come to find out the next morning, Pat indeed broke his ankle. There was not much that held Pat back. He was a 1978 graduate of Albia High School. “Pride & Victory is the key, seventy-eight will always be”. I always say you either really like Pat, or you really don’t. Pat’s friends were special, and he considered his true friends, family.
Pat went on to meet Debbie Shaffer, and had two beautiful children, Danyel Gaffey and James Joseph Gaffey. If you knew Pat, you knew settling down was a shock to us all, but a lot of great things came from it. His children were his true pride and joy. Pat and Debbie were married and raised their children together in Albia, Iowa.
Pat was a natural storyteller; boy did he have a lot of stories to tell. You could sit and listen to Pat for hours and not even realize how much time had gone by. Pat was also a true comedian; He could make any situation funny! Believe it or not, Pat had a strong moral compass and faith. Although, he was definitely a do as I say not as I do man. He passed on traditional lessons and wisdom to his kids and grandkids. Some of his famous lines.. You make a better door than you do a window. I don’t care what Susie is doing, you are responsible for you. Treat everybody how you want to be treated. Don’t let anyone walk all over you and always work hard. He raised his kids and grandkids to respect others and always show kindness. Pat’s hobbies were arrowhead hunting and mushroom hunting, which he still did in his most recent years. He still enjoyed watching Westerns, Beverly Hillbillies, and Gilligan’s Island. Yes, they still play those on antenna cable T.V. Pat loved all kids, but loved his grandkids the most. He was actively involved in his grandkid’s lives. Some of their fondest memories with him are going to the park, teaching them baseball/softball and playing basketball with his Colt. Colt always wanted to play horse, Pat would say, “How about a game of Pig, give this old man a chance”. Their fondest memory would be slumber parties as kids where he always had their favorite snacks, cereals and drinks stocked. He loved going to all of their events and cheering them on (he was usually the loudest). He was most proud to attend his granddaughter’s college graduation and see her become a teacher. Pat will be greatly missed by all or most. To really know Pat was to love him.
He is survived by his Mother, Karen Caldwell, A big brother, Rodney (Connie) Elswick, Little brother Rodney (Mary) McVey, and little sister, Tonya Bunch; a Daughter, Danyel (John) Willhour, Son, Jimmy Joe Gaffey, 3 grandchildren, Molly Pettyjohn, Stephan Pettyjohn, and Colt Willhour. Nieces, Saydee (Adam) Carrasco, Tashina Elswick, Katie (Bryce) Oswalt, Nicci (Joel) McVey Chandler. Christa (Mike) Kingsbury, Alyssa (Bjorn) Bagnall, Kayla (Shawn) Schiltz. Nephews, Stephan Bunch and Tylor McVey. Pat was preceded in death by his Paternal father, Richard Elswick Jr., and James Patrick Gaffey Sr. Also preceding him in death were a very special Aunt Thelma Jo Allen and his dad, Vincent Rip Caldwell, who came into his life at 3 years old and raised him as his own son.
Visitation will be held on Thursday, March 27, 2025, opening to the public at 2:00 p.m., with Pat’s family present to greet friends from 5-7 p.m., Thursday evening at Sinnott Funeral Home in Albia. A Celebration of Life will be held on Friday, March 28, 2025 at 11:00 a.m. at Sinnott Funeral Home in Albia. Military rites will follow services at the funeral home.
Memorials may be directed to the family. Sinnott Funeral Home of Ottumwa & Albia, serving all of southern Iowa is assisting the family with arrangements.
