James "Jim" Wyman Jones

James (Jim) Wyman Jones,71, died of neuroendocrine cancer on June 2nd 2013 at home. He was born April 6, 1942 son to Wyman and Sylvia Jones in a hilltop home outside of Enon, Missouri and was the youngest of three sons. Bobby L, the oldest, survives with his wife Adele at their home in Osage Beach, MO. Middle brother John and his wife Ann preceded Jim in death after a motorcycle accident in 1998.
Growing up, Jim developed a keen understanding of mechanical knowledge while working on his family's farm and an appreciation for the value of an honest day's work. Throughout elementary and high school, Jim continued to develop his mechanical and welding skills much in part learned from his father who owned a welding shop in Russellville. Jim's talent for welding was realized and acknowledged by his FFA instructor who ultimately put Jim in charge of teaching the skill to his own classmates. While in school, he excelled at athletics. Jim played every sport offered at Russellville High School. He was the baseball's team's varsity pitcher, a star basketball player, and competed in track and field events in which he set a school record in the pole vault that remained unbroken for ten years until the advent of fiberglass vaulting poles.
After graduating with his high school class in 1960, Jim went to work for Central Dairy in Jefferson City. His hard work earned him money to spend on his mechanical interests including racing stock cars. In the fall of '63 his earnings also afforded him the ability to take ownership of the only car he'd ever buy new; a 1964 Pontiac GTO.
It was in that car, five years later, that he would take his new girlfriend, Judy, out on their first date and to celebrate her 21st birthday. The couple continued to date throughout Jim's service in the Air Force. After being honorably discharged from service, the couple was married in Kirkwood, MO on June 29th 1974 and settled in their current home in Enon. Jim now worked full time as an aircraft mechanic for the Missouri National Guard in Jefferson City until his retirement in 2002.
Jim and Judy welcomed their first child, Christopher, in April of 1976. Three years later their daughter Suzanne was born. Jim and his wife raised their family instilling the same work ethic and skills as Jim's father had given to him. Christopher (Chris) and his wife, Shannon, reside in Boonville, MO with their two sons, Ryan and Andrew. Dr. Suzanne Long and husband Ryan live in the Joplin, MO area with their two sons, Nathanial and Patrick.
Jim enjoyed working with his hands and tools to design, build, and maintain many unique and functional inventions around his home. Much of the machinery at the family's home, including much of the home itself, was designed and built by Jim.
Jim was selfless when helping others. Friends and neighbors relied on his mechanical skills and problem solving abilities to assist whenever needed. He served his church of Enon Baptist faithfully through multiple building projects, maintenance, and as a member of the choir, and was president of the Enon Cemetery board. He gave his service throughout his career with the National Guard during many state emergencies, times of war and times of peace. Jim literally gave himself through blood and pheresis donation in which he donated over 130 pints of blood during the course of his life. However, Jim's most selfless efforts were those given for his family.
Jim loved his wife Judith throughout their 38 years of marriage. Together, both lived modestly to focus on raising their two children and providing a loving home and future for them. Jim and Judy are proud of both their children and four grandchildren. Chris and Suzanne are proud of their parents and are thankful to them for the sacrifices they made to help make their lives successful. Their father will be dearly missed.
A memorial service is planned for Jun 22th at Enon Baptist Church at 3pm with a reception to follow. In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations to Enon Baptist Church or the American Cancer Society.

To plant Memorial Trees in memory of James "Jim" Wyman Jones, please click here to visit our Sympathy Store.