James Leslie {Jim} Whitfield was born August 6, 1923, in rural Jasper County, Missouri, to Leslie Ransom Whitfield and Birdie A. Whitfield. He passed from this life on December 10, 2019. He had five sisters who all preceded him in death.
Jim learned at an early age the value and need for dedicated, hard work. He worked long hours on the family farm in his younger years. He graduated from Alba High School in 1940 and then attended the University of Missouri in Columbia.
In 1943, due to his profound desire to serve his country, he enlisted in the U.S. Army. He served in numerous World War II battle campaigns in Czechoslovakia, Germany, and Belgium, receiving numerous commendations. He was particularly proud to have been chosen to carry the Browning Automatic Rifle during these encounters as a part of the U.S. Army 2nd Infantry Division. He was honorably discharged from the service in 1946, holding the rank of Sergeant.
After the war, he returned to the University of Missouri and completed his bachelor's degree in Agriculture. He began his professional career as a Veterans Agriculture teacher in El Dorado Springs, Missouri, in 1947. There he met the love of his life, Peggy {Masters}. They were married at Caplinger Mills, Missouri, in May, 1949. Their enduring union was founded on love, mutual respect, and their belief that God had joined them to not only love, but support and care for each other their entire lives.
Jim accepted a position with the University of Missouri as an Extension Service Balanced Farming Agent in Bolivar, Missouri, in 1954. He was promoted to County Agent at Clinton, Missouri, in 1959, and to District Director for Extension for Northeast Missouri, based in Columbia, Missouri, in 1965. He received his Masters Degree from the University of Missouri in 1964, then furthered his education by completing his PHD Degree in Adult Education at Florida State University from 1968 through 1970. Upon returning to Missouri, he accepted a position as an Extension Service Area Director for Central Missouri while living in Jefferson City, Missouri. He remained in that position until retiring in 1982, with the title of Professor Emeritus of the University of Missouri.
Jim and Peggy purchased his home farm, with Century Farm designation, in Jasper County, and moved there in 1983. They thoroughly enjoyed all aspects of farm life and were very proud of the improvements they made to the land and they both loved to watch things grow. They loved all things regarding nature and to be close to those things. And he loved his St. Louis Cardinals Baseball teams over the years.
Jim and Peggy had two children to whom they dedicated their lives, Julie Ann Whitfield, Oronogo, Missouri, and James D. Whitfield, Jefferson City, Missouri. They deeply loved their children and made many sacrifices for them. Jim was a very principled man and believed in honesty and fairness. Those who knew him respected him for these qualities. He was also a religious man who practiced what his God had asked of him in the scriptures. His place in Heaven has now been filled.
While he will be sorely missed on earth, he will be doing the tasks which God has been waiting in heaven to give him.
He is survived by his wife of 70 years, Peggy, his daughter Julie, and his son Jim, along with a number of nieces, nephews, great nieces and nephews, and great grand nieces and nephews, and many friends.
Funeral services will be held on Saturday, December 14, 2019 at 1:00 PM in the chapel of Simpson Funeral Home in Webb City with Dr. Shaun Watson officiating. The family will be present for visitation on Saturday from 12:00 PM until service time at the funeral home. Burial will follow the services at Stockton City Cemetery in Stockton, Missouri.
In lieu of flowers the family suggests memorial donations in his memory to the First Baptist Church of Webb City.
Services are under the direction of Simpson Funeral Home in Webb City. Visit www.simpsonfh.com for online condolences.
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