He attended Gladden country school through eighth grade and was the pitcher that lead them to the county championship his seventh-grade year. He graduated from Houston High School in 1959 and from Southwest Missouri State in 1967. He pitched semi-pro in Springfield from 1964-’67 prior to taking a job with Phillips 66 in Bartlesville, Okla., and eventually Anchorage, Alaska.

Jim loved the great outdoors, which led him to Alaska, where he lived and piloted his bush plane for 27 years. He was an avid hunter and fisherman. He loved his family and friends. He had personal relationship with God.

He was preceded in death by his wife, Arlene; his father, Clarence; and a daughter, Cheri.

Survivors include his mother, Lorene; a brother, Bob; two sisters, Linda McCoy and Carol Weston; a son, Kevin; two grandchildren; and other family members and friends.

Services were Friday, June 26, at Faith Fellowship with Pastor Bill Villapiano officiating. Burial was in Pine Lawn Cemetery under the direction of Evans Funeral Home.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made in his honor to Disciples of Mercy’s prison ministry in Kenya. To send an online condolence, please go to www.evansfh.com.