James Lee Carlson, age 67, passed away on Wednesday, November 7, 2018 in his home, surrounded by family in Springfield, MO.  Services will be held on Friday, November 16, at Gorman-Scharpf Funeral Home, located at 1947 E Seminole St., Springfield, MO 65804.  The viewing will be held at 10:00 a.m., with funeral services to follow starting at 11:00 a.m.  A processional to the Missouri Veterans Cemetery will follow, with full military honors.  Jimmy was born on May 6, 1951, in Thief River Falls, MN, to Raymond and Kay Carlson.  He was welcomed into the family by five siblings: Patricia, Bobby, Barbara, Rochelle and Allan.  Jim was a joy and a blessing to his family and friends.  He was baptized at First Lutheran Church of Middle River, MN, and attended Sunday School at Central Lutheran in Elk River, MN.  As a youngster, Jim loved nature and all things in it.  He was especially fond of digging night crawlers and often stored them in his jean pockets.  It's not surprising that he grew up loving to fish and hunt.  After graduating from St. Francis High School in 1968, he joined the Army and served in South Korea on the DMZ.  Upon returning to Ft. Leonard Wood, he met and married the love of his life, Barbara Finnell.  They settled in the Springfield area and were blessed with two children, Courtney and Scott.  He attained a degree in Mechanical Engineering from Drury College.  Jim owned and operated a convenience store, Jim's Village Market, for many years in Battlefield, MO, along with running a horse stable, where they trained and showed Arabian horses.  Jim and Barbara shared many interests together, the importance and love of family, nature, horses, dogs and cats.  Both agreed there wasn't a pet that they wouldn't or couldn't love and provide a home for.  Jim and Barbra enjoyed dance, they were accomplished square dancers.  He will long be remembered for his many acts of kindness and generosity to all.  Jim set an example of selfless service toward others.

He was preceded in death by his mother Kay Silvola; his father Raymond Carlson; his stepfather Jack Silvola; his sister Patricia Carlson; his brother Robert Carlson; his mother-in-law Mary Ann Finnell; his father-in-law Ward Finnell; his brother-in-law Richard Harrington.

Jim is survived by his wife, Barbara Carlson; his children, Courtney and Scott Carlson, his sisters: Barbara Lamson and Rochelle Carlson, his brother: Allan Carlson; his granddaughters: Alyssa Kiser and Ashlyn Russell; his grandsons Tristan and Roy Shie, his sisters-in-law: Judi Williams, Stacey Owens, Donna Brooks, Louetta Carlson and Cassandra Trombetta-McNeil; his brothers-in-law: Glenn Finnell, Mike Owens, Mark Owens, Bradley Owens, Dale Brooks and Prop Williams; his daughter-in-law: Gina Carlson, and many nieces and nephews: Patricia Lamson, Chad Lamson, Daniel Scardina, Rachel Scardina, Andrea Scardina, Jennifer Harrington, David Harrington, Tyler Harrington, Nacole Bryant, Taylor Finnell, Michael Finnell, Antonio Trombetta, Tyler Trombetta, Marsha Harrington, Pam Washam, Cameron Owens, Kristina Owens, John Mark Owens, Mark Martin, and last but not least, his very special niece, that was more like a granddaughter, Mackenna Martin; his great-nieces and nephews: Jamie Lamson, Alec Poeschel, Estelle Scardini, Jenni Brooks Shankel, Doug Brooks, Mike Brooks, Rachel White, Bentley Stennett, Kathryn Washam, William Washam, Logan Washam, Zachary Bryant, Creek Baxley, and Maggie May Finnell.