Wayne L. James of Springfield went to meet his Savior Jesus Christ on March 8, 2011. He passed away as the result of a short illness.
He was born on December 15, 1922 in Joplin, MO. He married Louise Roberts on Christmas Day of 1946, and they remained devoted to each other for their entire 64-year marriage. They had two sons together and enjoyed many happy times at their lake house on Table Rock Lake.
Wayne loved to fish and spend time in his boat on the lake. He took great joy in his grandchildren and great-grandchildren, and taught many of them to fish as well. He had a great sense of humor and was not shy about sharing his opinions. His frankness and wit made him a fun person to be around, and he loved to make people laugh.
Wayne served in the Army during World War II as an Amphibious Tank Commander in the Philippines. After the war, he earned a Bachelor’s degree at SMS, and a Master’s in Education from Drury University. He taught Math in Springfield for 30 years at Study and Pipkin Middle Schools.
Survivors include his sons and daughter-in-law, Greg and Jeanne James and Robert James; his grandchildren and granddaughter-in-law, Tyler and Stacey James, Natalie James, Seth James, and Abigail James; and his great-grandchildren, Tristan, Eli, and Emma James.
He was preceded in death by his parents E.A. and Gladys James, his loving wife Louise, his brother Charles James, and his daughter-in-law Donna James.
Services will be held on Monday, March 14, 2011 at Wesley United Methodist Church on Republic Road. Visitation will begin at 1:00 p.m. and the funeral will follow at 2:00 p.m. Burial will be immediately after at Greenlawn Memorial Gardens with military honors.
Online condolences can be made at www.greenlawnfuneralhome.com. Arrangements are under the direction of Greenlawn Funeral Home South.