Funeral services for Herbert Charles "Herb" James, 78, West Plains, Missouri, will be held at 2:00 p.m., Monday, November 11, 2013 at the First Baptist Church of West Plains under the direction of Robertson-Drago Funeral Home.
Herbert C. James left this earth on Saturday, November 9, 2013 to be with his heavenly Father and family. He left behind a legacy of loving family and friends who will miss his kind-hearted spirit and gentle guidance dearly.
Herbert Charles James was born July 27, 1935 to Sam A. James and Lola M. Jarvis James at the family home in Bakersfield, Missouri. He was the grandson of John Henry and Izora Dean James and Claude and Anna Westmoreland Jarvis.
He was married to the love of his life, Bonnie Lee Tilson, at Cureall, Missouri on April 26, 1957.
Mr. James attended the Bakersfield School system and graduated from Bakersfield High School with the Class of 1954. He also attended and graduated from several financial and appraisal schools related to his professional pursuits.
Mr. James worked at McClure's Cheese Plant during the summer of 1953. Upon graduation from high school, and in May of 1954, he was employed by the International Shoe Company. In 1958, Mr. James began his career in the world of financial services at the Citizens Finance Company, a St. Louis based organization. In 1960, he became the Credit Manager for Citizens. In 1972, Mr. James began his employment with West Plains Savings and Loan as their Loan Officer and became a member of the Board of Directors a short four years later in 1976. He became Managing Officer in 1990 where he served until his retirement. During his tenure, Herbert helped many families fulfill their dreams of home ownership as well as car, furnishings and comparable personal acquisitions.
Herbert was a long time member of the First Baptist Church of West Plains. He served his church family in several and varied capacities while health allowed. He was also a member of the West Plains Lions Club with over 50 years of service and brotherhood.
He is survived by his wife, Bonnie, of the family home; their two children, Beverly James and Shawn Hensley of Glendale, Arizona, Keith James and wife, Melissa of Carl Junction, Missouri; and six loving grandchildren, Nicole Lopez and husband, Mark of Laguna Hills, California, Roger Bradford and wife, Jennifer of Phoenix, Arizona, Samantha James, Lindsey James, Beau James and Kylie Davis of Carl Junction, Missouri; as well as three great-grandchildren, Kanoa, Makai and Leia Bradford; one sister, Sue Roop and husband, Jack of Grandview, Missouri; one sister-in-law, Louise Tilson of Tulsa, Oklahoma; and several nieces and nephews.
He was preceded in death by his parents, grandparents, one infant sister, Anna Lee and daughter-in-law, Evelyne James.
Mr. James will lie in state from 4:30 p.m., Sunday, November 10th until 12:00 p.m. (no0n) Monday, November 11th at Robertson-Drago Funeral Home. Burial will be at the Oak Lawn Cemetery. Memorial contributions may be made to the Lions Eye Bank or the Missouri Baptist Children's Home and left at Robertson-Drago Funeral Home.