James H. Stiles is off on his next bike ride.  He made his transition from this life into the next on June 2, 2026, at 5:30 am. James was born to Cecil and Lula Stiles on August 6, 1934.  He was the third of six sons.

Jim always had a ready smile and a giving spirit.  He could always be counted on for a good story.  He graduated from Everton High School where he participated in sports.  Jim considered his high school principal a man who had great influence on his life.  He taught that life isn’t always fair, but you must be fair in all your life’s dealings, and Jim lived by those principles.  His strong work ethic was a role model for his children, but also those of friends and family as well.  Jim was a Master Mason for over 60 years, a 32^nd degree Scottish Rite Mason and Shriner.  Jim was a member of Unity of Springfield Church.

Jim loved his bicycle and running shoes. He considered the people at the south side YMCA family and they returned the love.  He coached many young and not so young, when training for marathons.  Jim always said, “if you think you can, you can.  If you think you can’t, you won’t.”

He received his degree in chemistry at Drury University. He was called the guru by his cohorts. Jim worked for Syntex for 37 years, retiring with honors, receiving international technology awards for his work in research and development. He had articles published in the chemical engineering and chemical processing magazines.  His community service began at Sherwood Elementary as the “adopt a school” coordinator, then tutoring at Hickory Hills Elementary, and York School wonder years.  He also delivered meals on wheels until his eyesight no longer allowed him to see house numbers. Ironically, years earlier while his eyesight was fine, he volunteered at a preschool for visually impaired children. Jim volunteered at many organizations and just to name a few: the Kidney Foundation, Southwest Missouri Office on Aging Foundation, and the Nature Center.  Jim believed service was giving from the heart.

Jim had many sorrowful moments in is life, with the death of his first wife, Dee, daughter, Debbie, son Jimi, and second wife, Marjory, brothers, Tom, Jack, Bill, and Bob.

He is survived by his wife, Gee, whom he met while running, his son Blaine and his wife, Julie; brother George (Nancy); sister-in-law, Leona; grandchildren, Brandon (Melissa), Ami (Randy), Nikki, Jessie (Lawrence); 8 step-grandchildren, 16 great-grandchildren; a step-son, Steven Schultz (Laura), 3 step-daughters, Teresa (Ronnie) Byrd, Suzanne Bloomfield, and Brenda (RC) Cushing.

Jim and Gee loved hosting parties and cookouts for their friends and family. Jim and Gee have spent 20 years in a marriage of love, trust, loyalty, respect, and fun.  Their life was an inspiration to all who had the good fortune to have been included by their warmth and kindness.  Jim said not to be sad, just be glad he was here and remember life is for the living, so live it well and to the fullest.

Visitation will be held 5~7 p.m., Friday, June 12, 2026, at Greenlawn Funeral Home East.  Funeral services will be at 10:00 a.m., Saturday, June 13, 2026, at the funeral home with Pastor Sue Baggett-Day officiating.  Burial will follow at Ash Grove Cemetery, Ash Grove, Missouri. In lieu of flowers, memorials are suggested to SeniorAge Area Agency on Aging or Lost & Found; or be kind, go and make memories with your family and friends as memories are forever, flowers are not.

Care has been entrusted to Greenlawn Funeral Home East.