Cecil James Sr.

Cecil W. James Sr., 81, of Jackson died Friday, May 9, 2008, at Saint Francis Medical Center.

He was born June 16, 1926, in Lilbourn, Mo., son of Oscar and Mary Douglas James. He and Velma June Baugher were married June 27, 1943, in Sikeston, Mo. She died Jan. 29, 2005.

James served in the U.S. Army during World War II and was baptized at First Christian Church in Sikeston. His truck driving career began at LA Tucker Truck Line. He retired in 1983 after 33 years of trucking. He then farmed.

Survivors include a son, Bill James Jr. of Antioch, Tenn.; three daughters, Patsy Parmeter, Barbara Schilling and Glenda Cobb, all of Jackson; two brothers, Walter James of Belleville, Ill., Clifford James of Arnold, Mo.; four sisters, Veda Vaught of Bertrand, Mo., Wanda Tidwell and Naomi Mayberry, both of St Louis, Linda Alliston of Sikeston; nine grandchildren; and 12 great-grandchildren.

He was preceded in death by two brothers and two sisters.

Friends may call from 4 to 8 p.m. Monday at McCombs Funeral Home in Jackson. The funeral will be at 1:30 p.m. Tuesday at the funeral home, with Rev. Sam Roethemeyer officiating.

Interment will be in Garden of Memories in Sikeston with graveside military honors.