Obituary for James E. Puckett
James Emerson Puckett entered this world on November 12, 1943, a blessing to his parents Allen and Evabell Puckett, and his two brothers. Born and raised in Joplin, he lived life to the full, cultivating relationships with friends wherever he was. He left this earth on January 25, 2021 to embark on the greatest adventure he has ever known, eternity with the Lord he honored and served during his time here. We will miss his teasing sense of humor, his compassionate kindness, and the insights he shared in his teaching of the Bible school class at College Heights Christian Church. He had a listening ear for dilemmas and problems people shared with him and sage advice to help them think through to solutions.
Jim married his friend and sweetheart, Sandra DeMasters on November 3, 1963, and they celebrated their 57th anniversary this past fall. She survives his passing, as does their daughter Jamie Wells, along with her husband David, granddaughter Evalyn and grandson Bradley and wife Melissa, and his brother Fred and his wife Dorothy as well as other aunts, uncles, nieces, and nephews.
Jim's activities reflect the varied talents he possessed: serving in the Air Force; managing an armored car business; establishing his own real estate business; working in the California Department of Corrections in both Adult and Youth sections, finally retiring from a Youth Counselor position due to work-related injuries of pepper spray in 1999. He and Sandra returned to the Joplin community where he continued to develop friendships, play golf, bowl, and study deeply to teach from the Bible. He also continued to counsel people who asked for help and to talk to anyone and everyone about the grace of God. No one could miss the twinkle in Jim's eye as he offered an outrageous remark nor the love and care of his intense gaze. He will be missed, for sure, but without a doubt the angels are welcoming him and relishing his special love of life. I can only imagine.
Graveside Services will be 1:00 p.m. Tuesday at Ozark Memorial Park Cemetery. Jay St. Clair, Minister and Pastor Brandon Dorris will officiate. Friends may view beginning Monday during our regular visiting hours. In lieu of flowers memorial contributions can be made to Water Gardens or God’s Resort in care of the Mortuary.
Arrangements are under the direction of Mason-Woodard Mortuary & Crematory.
Jim married his friend and sweetheart, Sandra DeMasters on November 3, 1963, and they celebrated their 57th anniversary this past fall. She survives his passing, as does their daughter Jamie Wells, along with her husband David, granddaughter Evalyn and grandson Bradley and wife Melissa, and his brother Fred and his wife Dorothy as well as other aunts, uncles, nieces, and nephews.
Jim's activities reflect the varied talents he possessed: serving in the Air Force; managing an armored car business; establishing his own real estate business; working in the California Department of Corrections in both Adult and Youth sections, finally retiring from a Youth Counselor position due to work-related injuries of pepper spray in 1999. He and Sandra returned to the Joplin community where he continued to develop friendships, play golf, bowl, and study deeply to teach from the Bible. He also continued to counsel people who asked for help and to talk to anyone and everyone about the grace of God. No one could miss the twinkle in Jim's eye as he offered an outrageous remark nor the love and care of his intense gaze. He will be missed, for sure, but without a doubt the angels are welcoming him and relishing his special love of life. I can only imagine.
Graveside Services will be 1:00 p.m. Tuesday at Ozark Memorial Park Cemetery. Jay St. Clair, Minister and Pastor Brandon Dorris will officiate. Friends may view beginning Monday during our regular visiting hours. In lieu of flowers memorial contributions can be made to Water Gardens or God’s Resort in care of the Mortuary.
Arrangements are under the direction of Mason-Woodard Mortuary & Crematory.