Jimmie Ray Allison, 80, of Springfield, Mo., passed away at The Manor at Elfindale, Springfield, Mo. on Friday, September 23rd, 2016. He was born at home in Delaware County, Oklahoma, on June 7th, 1936, to Everett and Mabel Allison. He graduated from high school at Kansas, Oklahoma, in 1955. Jim received a Bachelor of Science degree from Oklahoma State University, Stillwater, and a Master's degree from Northeastern Oklahoma State College at Tahlequah. He did post graduate studies in counseling at the University of Nevada, Las Vegas.

Jim taught science at Cassville, Mo., beginning in 1963. He and Durenda Cooper of Cassville were married in 1967 and moved to Las Vegas, Nevada, in 1969. Jim worked with Clark County Nevada Public School System until he retired as a school counselor in 1994.

He and Durenda enjoyed traveling throughout the United States as well as in Canada and Mexico. He moved from Las Vegas to Springfield, Mo., in 1999. He was a member of South Gate Baptist Church.

Jim served in the United States Air Force Reserve for six years and thought it an honor to serve his country in that way. He had great respect for all military personnel.

Jim was preceded in death by his parents, Everett and Mabel Allison, his brother, Preston Smith, and his sister, Lavina Rice. He is survived by his wife of 49 years, Durenda Allison. He is also survived by his nieces Jennifer Kirk, Kim Mattox, and Jeanna New, and his nephews Norman Smith, Nelson Smith, and Clay Rice, All of Oklahoma.

Memorial services will be held at 2pm on Thursday, September 29th at Gorman-Scharpf Funeral Home, Springfield, Mo. with burial immediately following in Hazelwood Cemetery, Springfield, Mo. Visitation will be held one hour prior to service.

A special thank you to the staff at The Manor at Elfindale (700 Hall) for the excellent care Jim received during his stay there, as well as a special thank you to Integrity Hospice for their care and compassion during a most difficult time.