James Edward Kollmeyer 68, of Springfield, MO passed away Tuesday, February 25, 2020. He was born February 3, 1952 in Springfield, MO to Carl and Evelyn (Haubein) Kollmeyer. In his youth, James was active in Baseball, enjoyed playing Bass Guitar and Pool. He attended Bingham Elementary, Hickory Hills Junior High, and Glendale High School. In 1967, at the age of 15, James was injured in an automobile accident and suffered severe injuries that left him a quadriplegic and unable to talk. James was initially enrolled at the State School in Marshall, MO where he received physical, as well as speech therapy to try to regain the ability to speak. He then returned to Springfield where he became a resident of a Group Home called Sagamont. James remained at Sagamont for many years until his health declined and then he became a resident of Woodland Manor in Springfield, MO, and would remain there for 17 years until his passing.

During his time at Woodland Manor, James became witness to many of his deep faith in God and his ability to not question why he was destined to live his life as he had to. He was close to many of the staff and employees at Woodland and truly felt as if they’d become his second family. The Woodland family treated James with loving kindness, care and dignity. James always put the interest of others before his own, he was a kind and gentle soul. James never gave up, he continued to fight and live his life the best way he could, he was a positive influence on many who knew him.

He was preceded in death by his parents, Carl and Evelyn (Haubein) Kollmeyer, brothers, Carl and Richard Kollmeyer and sister Karen McCandless. James is survived by his sister Pam McKinnis, husband Rick, brother Keith Kollmeyer, wife Terry, niece Bobbi Brown, husband Randy and son Cory, wife Kelsey, daughter Paige Wunder, husband Matt, nephew Brad Williams and niece Nicole Hedrick, husband Joey, and a great niece, Eva Hedrick and a great-great nephew, Cooper Brown, along with several cousins and Uncle Clovis and wife Eloise Haubein.

The family of James would like to thank the entire staff at Woodland Manor for their help in keeping James with us for as many years as you did. Your kindness will always be remembered. Also, we would like to thank the members of Seasons Hospice who worked with James and gave him the utmost care during his final time with us.

Funeral services will be at 10:00 a.m. Saturday, February 29, 2020, at Grenlawn Funeral home North. Visitation will be one hour before services, from 9:00 a.m. to 10:00 a.m. at the funeral home. Burial will be Saturday at 1:00 p.m. at Immanuel Lutheran (Zion) Cemetery, Meinert, MO. in Dade county.