The Rev. James W. Mercer, age 82, died peacefully in his home after a long illness on Tuesday, Dec 1, 2009. Jim was born in Byron, OK, in 1927 to Dr. and Mrs. J. W. Mercer and was raised in Enid, Oklahoma. He attended Ponca Military Academy, Ponca City, OK and graduated from Enid High School, Enid, OK. He attended Oklahoma University graduating with a degree in Business and becoming the biggest Boomer Sooner fan ever! "Sooner born, Sooner bred, when I die, I'm a Sooner dead!" After college, he was a pharmaceutical salesman until he responded to God's call to the ordained ministry. He attended San Francisco Theological Seminary and was ordained October 23, 1960 as a Minister of the Word and Sacrament in the Presbyterian Church. Jim was called to serve his first church in 1960 as Pastor of Weldona Presbyterian Church in Weldona, CO. He was called to serve as Pastor at First Presbyterian Church in Valentine, NE in 1962 and as Associate Pastor of Blue Ridge Presbyterian Church in Raytown, MO in 1967. In 1970, Jim was called to serve as Pastor of Covenant Presbyterian Church where he gave 20 years of ministry. He retired January 1, 1990 and was honored with the title Pastor Emeritus. Jim was a hard worker in John Calvin Presbytery serving faithfully on many committees. He was also a Community/Police Chaplain, President of the Springfield Area Ministerial Alliance, a member of the Cox Health Internal Board and a sixty year member of Phi Delta Theta. Jim was involved in community fine arts every where he lived. He participated in Community Theater in Valentine, NE and appeared in many productions at Springfield's Little Theater. His favorite role was "Merlin" the wizard in "Camelot." He sang in the Tri-Lakes Community Chorus and Mid-America Singers. Jim loved to play his mom's old ukulele and strum out "Five foot two, eyes of blue" and dance a funny jig. He kept music alive in his family. Jim touched many lives through his faithful ministry, his relationships in the community, and always used his great humor and wit to make people laugh. Jim was always there for people, with a listening ear, a hug to comfort you, and way too many jokes to cheer you up. His hobbies were golfing, playing with his model train set, and feeding the birds in his backyard. Jim was preceded in death by his parents. He is survived by his wife of 51 years, Harriett Mercer, who was his devoted caregiver the last three years of Jim's life; his children and their spouses: James Wesley and Debbie Mercer; Jeffrey Wayne Mercer; John William and Angela Mercer; Matthew Drew and Marilyn Mercer; Julie Mercer-Kidd and Chip Kidd; Mark Anders and Malea Mercer; 16 grandchildren and 7 great-grandchildren; his sister Marilyn and Jim Hinkefent and family. The family would like to thank Dr Wiley, Dr Coulter and Oxford Hospice Care- Arthur, Tonya, Jeannette and Summer for all their support and all the outpouring of love from family and friends. The Service of Witness to the Resurrection will be at Westminster Presbyterian Church, Springfield, MO, Sunday, December 6th at 3:00 PM with the Rev. Ellen Brantley and the Rev. Becky Schwandt officiating under the care of Gorman-Scharpf Funeral Home. A reception will follow. In lieu of flowers, the family suggests making a donation to Oxford Hospice Care, Covenant Presbyterian Church or Springfield Little Theater. And because Jim loved to make people smile, tell someone a joke today.