Visitation will be prior to services from 12:30-1 p.m. Wednesday at Schowengerdt Chapel. Interment in Oak Hill Cemetery, Butler. In lieu of flowers contributions to the family. Online condolences, www.schowengerdtchapel.com.
James (Jim) Robert Damon was born on October 11, 1941 in Bethany, Missouri, to Robert Clifton Damon and Katherine Elizabeth Damon. He went to be with the Lord on October 28, 2020, at the age of 79.
Jim graduated from Ridgeway High School in 1959 and joined the United States Navy where he would serve until August of 1961, including service on the USS Saint Paul. Upon returning from military duty, Jim worked at various jobs throughout the Kansas City area, including Western Electric, and sales throughout the southeastern United States. It was on one of those trips that he watched a Billy Graham crusade in a hotel room, and would give his life to Jesus, later responding to a call into the ministry. Jim would get ordained at the Evangelistic Center Church in downtown Kansas City and later answer a call to pastor Berean Baptist Church (now Friendship Full Gospel) in Butler. He would meet his future wife, Martha Sue Damon, upon the move to Butler, and continue bi-vocational ministry for several years.
Along with Sue, Jim helped raise two step-children, David Edward Watts, and Debra Sue (Worth) Reynolds. To this union, one son was born, James Neal Damon. Jim would live in the Bates County region for the remainder of his life, working for years at Levy’s Mercantile on the Butler square, Scott’s Furniture Store in Butler, and KMAM/KMOE radio station in Butler, helping to spark an interest in his son’s future broadcasting career. He briefly refereed basketball games and was a substitute teacher in the area, but may be best known for umpiring baseball and softball games for nearly 40 years throughout the western side of the state of Missouri. He was especially proud when he umpired with a former MLB umpire and was told he was as good or better as any of the professional umpires. Upon retirement, he briefly worked at Food Fair in Rich Hill, and later relocated from the family farm southwest of Butler to Rockville, Missouri.
Jim was passionate about sports, and caring for the needs of family including tending to his paraplegic wife for the entirety of their 46 year marriage. He was also passionate about the Lord, still serving in his local church and community leading up to his death. He was also very proud of his military service, as well as honoring others that had served, including his stepson, two grandchildren, and nephew.
He was preceded in death by his parents. He is survived by wife, Sue, of the home in Rockville; sisters Deanna (Farrell) Whitaker, LaRita (Richard) Wonsetler, Marietta (Steve) Hitchcock, and brother, Myron; stepson David Watts and significant other, Jayne Sisk; stepdaughter Debra Sue Reynolds and husband Mike; son James Neal Damon and wife Amanda; grandchildren David Jr., Jesse, Erica, Dakota, Colton, Faith, Sophia, and Joshua; seven great-grandchildren, one great-great-grandchild, and numerous nephews, nieces, cousins, and friends.
James (Jim) Robert Damon was born on October 11, 1941 in Bethany, Missouri, to Robert Clifton Damon and Katherine Elizabeth Damon. He went to be with the Lord on October 28, 2020, at the age of 79.
Jim graduated from Ridgeway High School in 1959 and joined the United States Navy where he would serve until August of 1961, including service on the USS Saint Paul. Upon returning from military duty, Jim worked at various jobs throughout the Kansas City area, including Western Electric, and sales throughout the southeastern United States. It was on one of those trips that he watched a Billy Graham crusade in a hotel room, and would give his life to Jesus, later responding to a call into the ministry. Jim would get ordained at the Evangelistic Center Church in downtown Kansas City and later answer a call to pastor Berean Baptist Church (now Friendship Full Gospel) in Butler. He would meet his future wife, Martha Sue Damon, upon the move to Butler, and continue bi-vocational ministry for several years.
Along with Sue, Jim helped raise two step-children, David Edward Watts, and Debra Sue (Worth) Reynolds. To this union, one son was born, James Neal Damon. Jim would live in the Bates County region for the remainder of his life, working for years at Levy’s Mercantile on the Butler square, Scott’s Furniture Store in Butler, and KMAM/KMOE radio station in Butler, helping to spark an interest in his son’s future broadcasting career. He briefly refereed basketball games and was a substitute teacher in the area, but may be best known for umpiring baseball and softball games for nearly 40 years throughout the western side of the state of Missouri. He was especially proud when he umpired with a former MLB umpire and was told he was as good or better as any of the professional umpires. Upon retirement, he briefly worked at Food Fair in Rich Hill, and later relocated from the family farm southwest of Butler to Rockville, Missouri.
Jim was passionate about sports, and caring for the needs of family including tending to his paraplegic wife for the entirety of their 46 year marriage. He was also passionate about the Lord, still serving in his local church and community leading up to his death. He was also very proud of his military service, as well as honoring others that had served, including his stepson, two grandchildren, and nephew.
He was preceded in death by his parents. He is survived by wife, Sue, of the home in Rockville; sisters Deanna (Farrell) Whitaker, LaRita (Richard) Wonsetler, Marietta (Steve) Hitchcock, and brother, Myron; stepson David Watts and significant other, Jayne Sisk; stepdaughter Debra Sue Reynolds and husband Mike; son James Neal Damon and wife Amanda; grandchildren David Jr., Jesse, Erica, Dakota, Colton, Faith, Sophia, and Joshua; seven great-grandchildren, one great-great-grandchild, and numerous nephews, nieces, cousins, and friends.
