John D. James, age 91, of Clinton, Missouri passed away at Golden Living Center-Westwood, Clinton, MO, on Monday, February 9, 2009. Funeral services will be 2:00 P.M. Saturday, February 14, 2009 at Vansant-Mills Chapel, Clinton with burial in Englewood Cemetery, Clinton. Family will receive friends one hour before the service on Saturday at the chapel. Family suggests contributions to the Northeast Baptist Church and may be left at the funeral home. Fond memories may be left online at www.vansant-millsfuneralhome.com.

John was born to Celcie (North) and Henry James on July 27, 1918, in Henry County, Missouri, one of ten children.

John, on returning from serving his country in WWII, married Sallie Mae Mansfield on August 8, 1945. They made their home in Clinton. John and Sallie were charter members of Northeast Baptist Church and were faithful in their ministering and teaching Sunday School Classes.

John enjoyed working with his hands, auto repairs were his specialty. After retiring from Clearfield Cheese Co, he had a shop to enjoy his friends and neighbors and repair lawn care equipment.

He was a gentle and loving man and always a gentleman. The love of John's life was Sallie Mae and he cared for her for fourteen years during her health decline with Alzheimer's. She went to be with the Lord on October 2, 2003.

He is survived by one son, John William (Bill) James; four grandsons, Jesse James, Frank James, John James and Steven James; as well as nieces, nephews and cousins.