A longtime resident of Douglas County James W. Belknap, 79, Ava, Mo., passed away Tuesday, March 10, 2009, in St. John’s Hospital. He was born July 27, 1929, in Sherman, Texas, the son of Bertie and Sarah (Smith) Belknap. On May 7, 1994, he was united in marriage to Connie Cox.
James was a longtime resident of Douglas County and a retired police officer with the Seymour Police Department. He was a faithful disciple of Christ and a member of Grace Community Worship Center of Nixa. James also loved his family and was a very devoted husband and father. In his spare time, he enjoyed family gatherings, hunting, fishing and singing at church.
He was preceded in death by his parents and a brother, Kenneth Belknap.
James is lovingly survived by his wife, Connie; three daughters, Levita June Skaggs and husband, Jerry, and Becky Lynn Belknap, all of Springfield, and Candy Loraine Hood and husband, Kirk, of Seymour; five grandchildren; nine great-grandchildren; two great-great-grandchildren; other caring relatives and several friends.
Funeral services were held at 2 p.m., Friday, March 13, in Barnes Family Funeral Home, Ozark, with Pastors Paul Winchester and Dan Sandoval officiating. Burial followed in Burdett Cemetery, Ava.
Visitation was held from 6 to 8 p.m., Thursday, March 12, in Barnes Family Funeral Home, Ozark.
