Joe James

Gregory Sprengle of Boy Scout Troop 8 in Cape Girardeau, studied an aviation instrument Saturday at the spring camporee held at the Cape Girardeau Regional Airport.SIKESTON, Mo. -- Joe James, 78, of Sikeston, Mo., died Friday, May 3, 2002, at his home in Sikeston.

He was born July 2, 1923 in Bethel Springs, Tenn., son of C.J. and Lillie Russom James. He and Jewel Adams were married June 18, 1970, in Vanduser, Mo.

He was a U.S. Army veteran, having served during World War II. A self-employed farmer, he founded the Miner Police Department and was a school bus driver for 13 years.

Survivors include his wife; two daughters, Sharon Carpenter of Dudley, Mo., and Karen Kastner of Dexter, Mo.; one stepson, Mitch Thompson of Sikeston; two stepdaughters, Janie Berry and Sherrie Dixon of Sikeston; six brothers, O.J. James, Otis James, Cletus James, Jackie James, Bill James and A.C. James of Sikeston; three sisters, Novell Milani of Sikeston, Bonnie Bracey of Portageville, Mo., and Maydell Thompson of Sikeston; seven grandchildren; and six great-grandchildren.

He was preceded in death by one son, Joe James Jr., and two sisters.

Friends may call at Ponder Funeral Home from 5 to 8 p.m. Sunday.

The funeral will be at 11 a.m. Monday, with the Rev. John Tarter of Mount Calvary Baptist Church officiating. Burial will be in the Memorial Park Cemetery.