Ira Eugene James, Jr.

Ira Eugene James, Jr.

Ira Eugene James, Jr., age 72, a resident of rural Mound City, Kan., died Sunday, April 27, 2014, at Mercy Hospital in Fort Scott, Kan. He was born Oct. 12, 1941, in Humboldt, Kan., the son of Ira Eugene James and Martha Melvina Stone James. He married Lavon Baker on March 20, 1966. They were later divorced. Ira served with the United States Army where he was stationed in Germany. He had made his home in Wichita for many years where he was employed as a mechanic. He had worked as shop foreman for Diamond Engineering for several years. Following his retirement, he moved to Lake Chaparral where he enjoyed fishing.

Survivors include a son, Darren James and wife, Heather, Mesquite, Texas and a daughter, Suzanne James, Pittsburg, Kan. Also surviving are three granddaughters, Aqua, Atira and Alayzia. He was preceded her in death by an infant daughter, Anita Dyane; his parents and two brothers, Wayne James, Sr. and Larry James.

Rev. Steve Bell will conduct graveside services at 10 a.m. Friday, May 2 at the U.S. National Cemetery where military honors will be provided by the Olson Frary Burkhart Post No. 1165 Veterans of Foreign Wars. Friends and family may meet at the Cheney Witt Chapel prior to leaving for the cemetery at 9:45 a.m. on Friday. Memorials are suggested to the Ira James Memorial Fund and may be left in care of the Cheney Witt Chapel, 201 S. Main, P.O. Box 347, Fort Scott, KS 66701. Words of remembrance may be submitted to the online guestbook at cheneywitt.com.