James Leroy Damer passed into eternal peace on June 5, 2021. Jim was born on September 26, 1939, in Webb City, Missouri to Leroy and Dorothy (Lofton) Damer. He was the oldest of five children. Jim attended Waco and Oronogo schools and graduated in 1957 from Webb City High School. He was a proud Marine and served with several squadrons of the air wing for four years achieving the rank of Corporal.
In February of 1961 Jim was united in marriage to Nancy Smith in Duenweg, Missouri and they had two children, Delisa and Steve. After the Marines, Jim was employed in Joplin by Eagle Picher, Rocketdyne, DuPont. He retired from FAG Bearings in Joplin after 29 years as maintenance electrician.
Jim was baptized by his father in Center Creek. Jim and Nancy were active members of Webb City First Baptist Church, Duenweg Baptist Church, Calvary Baptist Church, and Fellowship Baptist Church of Joplin. Jim loved family get togethers, especially if they involved crappie fishing or golf. Jim built two homes for his family (a real labor of love). Jim and Nancy enjoyed traveling and visited all 50 states plus several international destinations.
Jim was preceded in death by his parents, a brother John and a sister Karen (Coss). He is survived by his wife Nancy; a daughter Delisa Gardner and husband Stan of Broken Arrow, Oklahoma, and son, Steve and wife Julie of Rogers, Arkansas along with two grandchildren who were precious to him, Chelsea Dodge (Adrienne) of Joplin, Missouri and Chase Damer of Bentonville, Arkansas. Additional survivors include a brother Jerry Damer of Webb City and a sister, Kay Masters and husband Jerry of Lakewood Ranch, Florida.
A Memorial Service will be held at 10:30 a.m. Saturday, June 19, 2021, at Fellowship Baptist Church in Joplin. Pastor Rex Wakefield and Pastor Rob Signs will officiate. Burial with military honors will immediately follow at Ozark Memorial Park Cemetery.
The visitation will be at 9:30 a.m. Saturday prior to the service at the Church. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to Joplin Golf Foundation or the Fellowship Baptist Church Building Fund or Music Ministry in care of the mortuary.
Arrangements are under the direction of Mason-Woodard Mortuary & Crematory.
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