James McKinney “Jim” Bower, age 85, of Cassville, Missouri

            James McKinney “Jim” Bower, age 85, of Cassville, Missouri passed away Thursday, February 8, 2024, at his home.

            He was born May 21, 1938 to Austin J. and Robbie (Towe) Bower in Cassville, Missouri.  On July 23, 1960, at the First Baptist Church in Cassville, he married his high school sweetheart and best friend Mona Ann Watson, who survives. They moved to Joplin, Missouri, residing there until July 1966, then moving to Neosho, Monett and back to Cassville in 1974. Jim was employed by the Natural Gas Company for thirty-two years. Upon retiring he delivered newspapers, delivered furniture, and drove cars for Les Jacobs Ford until his health started to decline.

            Jim became a Christian in his early years and was an active member of the First Baptist Church and a door greeter on Sunday. He was a very busy individual, a 1956 Cassville High graduate, lettering in football, basketball, and track. Jim was the “First” Wildcat to be selected as the Big Nine All Conference Football Halfback. Upon graduation he attended Southwest Missouri State College in Springfield, Missouri. Jim then went on to serve in the Army with the 101^st Airborne Paratroopers also known as the “Screaming Eagles.” One of his greatest honors was being selected to go on the Veterans Honor Flights to Washington D.C. Jim so enjoyed with pride and gratefulness this trip and honor. He was an avid quail hunter and enjoyed his yearly fall hunts with his setter and pointer dogs and his best longtime friend Jim Burke, as well as Rocky Edmondson, Bob Mitchell, Gary Chaney, Bob Shore, and many cousins and friends. He was a member of the Masonic Lodge, enjoyed fishing, collecting arrowheads, carnival glass and coins. Jim was an avid softball player and fast pitcher. He also was a football referee and enjoyed interacting with the area football coaches, such as Burl Fowler, Ben Lawson, Charles Ramsey, Bob Shore and many others he called his friends. Jim also enjoyed being Secret Santa during Christmas. He served on the board of the Oak Hill Cemetery as past president as well the Cassville High School Alumni, past president, and Cassville High School Booster Club Member. 

            In Joplin at Forest Park Baptist Church, Jim and Mona taught boys and girls intermediate Sunday school class and interacted with “Big Brothers.” They were active with youth in Monett and after moving to Cassville they worked with the youth at First Baptist Church.  Jim and Mona loved people, especially the youth, they opened their home to many young men.

            Jim will be greatly missed by his wife of 63 years; one sister-in-law, Paula (Dennis) Kester; five nephews, Jeffrey (Stacy) Kester, Jason (Ashley) Kester, Frank Austin (Gloria) Sitter, Thomas Lee Griffith and Michael Edward (Brandi) Ketaily; three nieces, Deborah (Louise) Ketaily, Korla Jane Eaquinta and Brandi Elizabeth Dawson; additional family, Gayle (Barry) Farmer, Dee Ash Lewis, Maxine Petty Brohm, Gary Preddy family and many great nephews, nieces, cousins, friends and most of all his furry friends, Bridgett, Billie, Butch and Birdie the cat.

            Jim was preceded in death by his parents; two sisters, Johnnie Louise Ketaily and Roetta Jane Thompson; four brothers-in-law, George Sitler, Corley Griffith, Edward Ketaily, Kenny Thompson and same as brother, William “Rocky” Edmondson. 

            Services will be held at 10:00 A.M. Thursday, February 15, 2024, at First Baptist Church in Cassville, under direction of Fohn Funeral Home in Cassville. Pastor James Weaver and Pastor Jason Mackey will conduct the services. Burial will be at Oak Hill Cemetery in Cassville, Missouri. 

            The family will receive friends from 9:00 A.M. until service time Thursday at First Baptist Church in Cassville.

            Contributions may be made to First Baptist Church Youth or American Heart Association in memory of Jim.

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FOHN FUNERAL HOME

Cassville, Missouri

417-847-2141