James “Jim” F. DeNeen, age 79 of Joplin, Mo. passed away early Tuesday, November 28, 2017 at Freeman Hospital, following an illness.

Jim was born November 27, 1938 in St. Joseph, Mo., the son of Frank and Mary (McLaughlin) DeNeen. He was a graduate of Christian Brothers High School in St. Joseph, received a Bachelor’s Degree in Business Administration and Doctorate of Jurisprudence in Law from the University of Missouri – Columbia. Jim was a member of the Missouri Bar Association and worked as an Assistant Attorney General for the State of Missouri in Jefferson City, Mo. He has been an area resident for many years. He was the sole practitioner in his law practice. For a few years, Jim taught Business Law at MSSU and was the City of Joplin Prosecutor. He served as the Past-Chairman of the Ethics Committee and Past-President for the Jasper County Bar Association. During his retirement, Jim, was the Municipal Judge for the City of Duenweg.

Jim was a member of the First United Methodist Church in Joplin. At the church, he served on the Administrative Board, Trustee Board and was a member of the Tri M Sunday School Class. Jim, also proudly served on the Salvation Army Advisory Board, Joplin Association for the Blind, the Shelter Workshop Board and was a member of the Masonic Lodge #345. Jim enjoyed music and traveling. He was an avid sports follower of the MU Tigers, St. Louis Cardinals and the Kansas City Chiefs.

He married Suzan Kraft in 1964 and is survived by his wife of 53 years. Additional survivors include a son; James Scott DeNeen and wife Whitney of Tulsa, Ok., a daughter; Mary Jones and husband Michael of Webb City, Mo., five grandchildren; Karsun DeNeen, Kelsey DeNeen, Ayden DeNeen, Elizabeth Jones and Ruth Jones, and a sister; Carol Willett and husband Joe of Naples, Fl. Jim was preceded in death by his parents.

Services are scheduled for 2:00 p.m. Monday, December 4, 2017 at First United Methodist Church in Joplin. Rev. Bob Howard and Rev. Roger Nichols will officiate. Burial will follow at Mount Hope Cemetery in Webb City. The family will receive friends during a time of visitation prior to the start of the service at the church beginning at 1:00 p.m. Monday.

In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations to be made to the First United Methodist Church of Joplin in care of the mortuary.

Arrangements have been entrusted to Mason-Woodard Mortuary & Crematory.

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