James E. "Jim" Warren, 85, of Springfield, Missouri, passed away on July 2, 2024. He was born on August 30, 1938, in Pawhuska, Oklahoma to Allen Elmo Warren and Velma Witt Warren.  He was the oldest of two boys.  Jim married Judith (Judy) O'Dell in 1961 and were together for 63 years.  They had two children, James Curtis Warren and two years later, Julie Ann Warren.

Jim spent his early years learning how to be a cowboy on the family cattle ranch in Oklahoma.  At the age of 11, the Warrens moved to their 7000-acre ranch in Longton, Kansas.  He spent many years riding horses, checking fences and working cattle.  The day a family with 5 girls moved in across the road, he was there to help Judy, his future wife, round up her horses.  He always said he was drawn to her because of her horsemanship and that he immediately knew Judy was special.  Jim was president of the class of 22 students graduating from Longton High School in 1956.   That fall, he moved to Stillwater, Oklahoma to attend Oklahoma State University.   For the next 4 years, Jim and Judy maintained a close relationship and Jim was always home on the weekends to see her and help with the ranch.  He went on to receive the prestigious Block and Bridle award on the way to earning a B.S. in Agriculture from Oklahoma State University in 1960.

Jim and Judy were married in 1961.  The couple worked on the Oklahoma ranch while Judy went to college.  They moved to Springfield in 1965.   For years they continued to own land and cattle in Kansas.  They travelled back many weekends to work on the ranch.  Later, Jim enjoyed spending time with his family at the lake, hunting with his bird dogs, and over 30 years of annual fishing trips with Judy to Northern Manitoba Canada.  He received several Canada Master Angler Certificates for netting record fish.  He enjoyed yard work and spent many evenings and weekends caring for his home and garden.

Jim's spent his early career selling meat for the Morrell and Eckrich companies.  In 1985, when Missouri started a state lottery, he became a sales representative for southwest Missouri.  He sold the very first Missouri Lottery Ticket.  He valued his relationships with coworkers and his many customers through the years.  Jim received the Older Worker Award for Missouri Region 8.  He decided to retire at the age of 72, when computers were set to take the place of a personal visit and a handshake.

Jim was a stalwart member of the Heart of the Ozarks Sertoma (Service to Mankind) Club where he volunteered for over 50 years.  He spent many years helping his friends with Thursday night bingo and the annual Chili Cookoff.  He was "Sertoman of the Year" in 1996.  In 2013, he was recognized with the Bill Stalnaker Award for his support of the Boys and Girls Clubs of Springfield.  Jim was always "proud to be a Sertoman".

Jim served as a Silver Haired Legislator for Greene County championing issues important to older Missourians.  He wrote letters to the editor of the local newspaper when he felt strongly about an issue.  As a staunch Democrat he was never afraid to put signs for his favored candidates in the yard in spite of being clearly in the minority.

Jim Warren lived a life marked by love, laughter, and loyalty.  He always had a story to tell, enjoyed sharing his sense of humor and could easily engage in conversation with a stranger.  His unwavering principles made him a source of dependability and strength. He will be deeply missed and forever remembered as a loving husband, father, and friend.

Jim was predeceased by his parents and brother Lynn Warren.

Jim is survived by his wife, son and daughter, his grandchildren Rachel, Caleb and Lydia Warren, his sister-in-law Mary Kay Warren and by numerous nieces and nephews.

Funeral services for Jim will be held at Wesley United Methodist Church on Friday, July 19th at 10 am. This will be followed by an informal reception.  Gorman-Scharpf Funeral Home is overseeing the arrangements.

The family will have a private burial at Rivermonte Memorial Gardens.  Memorial contributions may be made to the Girls and Boys Club of Springfield.