James 'Dub' Hillis

James W. "Dub" Hillis, 71, of Jackson passed away Sunday, Dec. 9, 2018, at Saint Francis Medical Center in Cape Girardeau.

He was born Aug. 23, 1947, in Dunklin County, Missouri, to Clarence and Melba House Hillis. In 1979, Dub and Debbie Sue Kirkpatrick became acquainted through their employment with the City of Cape Girardeau. They were married April 1, 1995, at Post Oak Church near Patton, Missouri.

Dub attended school in rural Dunklin County, but left high school before graduation to help his family share-crop on a cotton farm. He was proud to earn his GED at the age of 50.

Dub was inducted into the U.S. Army on Sept. 8, 1966, serving in Vietnam for 12 months. He was honorably discharged Sept. 6, 1968. He was awarded the National Defense Service Medal, the Vietnam Campaign Medal, the Vietnam Service Medal, one Overseas Service Bar and the Marksman Badge M-14 Rifle. He was a member of Veteran of Foreign Wars Post 3838 in Cape Girardeau.

Upon returning home, Dub worked as a heavy-equipment operator, first at Jefferson Barracks for 10 years, and then 30 years for the City of Cape Girardeau, retiring in 2003.

Dub is affectionately remembered for his uncanny ability to find humor in all circumstances. Children were drawn to Dub because he was really just a big kid himself. He was an avid St. Louis Cardinals baseball fan and thoroughly enjoyed going to their home games.

Loving survivors include his wife of 23 years, Debbie Hillis of Jackson; their beloved Shih Tzu, Sammy; two children, James David Hillis of Clarkton, Missouri, and Jeannie Hillis of Dexter, Missouri; a grandson, Anthony Rankin of Clarkton; five sisters, Brenda Riddle and Carol Gray of Malden, Missouri, Sandra Holt of Clarkton and Diane (Raymond) Ray and Jan Ray of Gideon, Missouri; brother-in-law, Joe (Sandy) Jones of Patton; sister-in-law, Nancy (Steve) Anderson of Hillsboro, Missouri; and several nieces, nephews and close friends.

He was preceded in death by his parents; a brother, Danny Hillis; and his mother-in-law, Carmel Kirkpatrick.

Visitation will be from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. Wednesday at McCombs Funeral Home and Cremation Center in Jackson.

Funeral will be at 1 p.m. Wednesday at the funeral home, with the Revs. William Hillis and Don Estes officiating. Military honors and interment will follow at Cape County Memorial Park Cemetery in Cape Girardeau.

Memorials may take the form of contributions to the Missouri Veterans Home Foundation or the Humane Society of Southeast Missouri.

Online condolences may be sent to the family by visiting www.mccombsfuneralhome.com.