James Joseph Demoss....Age 65

MEMORIAL SERVICE:

10:00 AM SATURDAY, JULY 18, 2015
EDDY-BIRCHARD FUNERAL HOME

MEMORIAL: SOULS HARBOR ~ JOPLIN, MISSOURI

Memorials may be sent in care of:

Eddy-Birchard Funeral Home
P.O. Box 430
Osawatomie, KS 66064
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James Joseph DeMoss age 65, of Fort Scott, Kansas died Sunday, July 12, 2015 at the Neosho Regional Medical Center in Chanute, Kansas.

James was born October 3, 1949 in Paola, Kansas, the fifth of six children born to Chloris Ione and Gladys Maxine (Shoemaker) DeMoss.

He grew up in LaCygne and attended school there for most of his school years. At the age of fourteen he acquired a position at Willards IGA in Osawatomie, Kansas and then later secured a position at the Ford garage as a mechanic.

In 1968 James enlisted into the United States Army, He served in Vietnam from May 30, 1970-April 22, 1971, he also served in Indochina. Upon returning to the United States he was stationed in Alaska where he worked as a dental assistant. James was a recipient of a Bronze Star, The Air Medal and the Army Commendation Medal, he was honorably discharged on December 1, 1972.

After returning home he attended Allen County Community College for 18 months, while working at Taylor Forge. He later joined the BTJ Pipefitters Union and was a current retired member of the local #441 of Wichita, Kansas.

On September 6, 1975 he married Linda Sue Kerr in Osawatomie, Kansas. They moved several times due to the type of work James pursued but finally settled when they purchased their farm near Fort Scott in 1993, where they raised two daughters Rachel and Rebekah.

He enjoyed fishing and trap shooting, but his passion was building and flying model airplanes. He also loved to host family gatherings on holidays and special occasions. He was a loving husband and father and a lover of animals, and enjoyed when his grand-dogs “Bear”, “Flip”, “Pebbles” and bunny-rabbit “Cadbury” came for a visit. Of course he always had his little stray kitty “Monkey” he and Linda rescued to keep him entertained.

James was preceded in death by his parents, three brothers, two brother-in-laws, as well as his mother and father in-laws.

He is survived by his wife Linda and daughter Rachel of the home, daughter Rebekah (Kyle) Varvel of Leavenworth, KS, brother Jack (K) DeMoss of Ottawa, KS and one sister Carol Sue Lynn of Osawatomie, KS along with numerous nieces and nephews and his first grandchild that is on the way.