Jim Backerman

(From Ulmer Funeral Home)

Jimmy “Jim” Ray Backerman, 73, passed away Wednesday, August 6, 2025, in Carthage, Missouri. Born October 28, 1951, to Herman and June Backerman in Joplin, Missouri, Jim lost his father when he was just three years old and was raised by his mother and stepfather, Harold “Bud” Simmons on a farm southeast of Jasper and graduated from Jasper High School with the class of 1970. 

A true Jasper Eagle, Jim was inducted into the Jasper High School Football Hall of Fame for his accomplishments on the football field, an honor he was proud to claim. In his early adulthood, Jim served as the Chief of Police in Jasper and held the title of being the youngest police chief in Missouri’s history.

On August 19, 1977, Jim married Pamela Wright in Joplin, Missouri, and shortly after they moved to Northwest Arkansas. An avid outdoorsman, Jim loved spending time in nature, whether it was working on his farm, baiting a hook, or deer hunting with his kids. A devoted Arkansas Razorback fan, Jim never missed an opportunity to “call those Hogs” and attended games frequently.

Jim had a quick wit, loved a good joke, and kept his friends and family in stitches. We will all miss the way he would spin a tale or tell a story. Known as “The Griz” to his friends, Jim was always willing to lend a helping hand or give the shirt off his back to anyone in need. He had a can-do spirit, was never afraid to learn something new, or share his talents with others. 

Jim was an excellent cook! Together with his wife Pam, he had a special knack for tasting a great recipe
at a restaurant and recreating it at home, always adding that extra twist that made their version better than the original. It’s safe to say his love for cooking has been inherited by his kids, also resulting in the birth of a competition BBQ team led by his oldest son and daughter-in-law. Jim loved traveling across the country to help prepare award-winning BBQ and made a point to attend every contest he could.

A member of Christian Life Cathedral in Fayetteville, Arkansas, Jim enjoyed attending church and studying his Bible. He was a religious man who placed great importance upon sharing his faith, especially with his family.

Jim is survived by his wife, Pamela; his children, Jimmy Ray Backerman II and Sandra (Darrell) Littrell, of Prairie Grove, Arkansas, Regina (Brian) Hight of Winslow, Arkansas, Melissa Hunter of Joplin, Missouri, Chad (Nicole) Backerman and Jodie (Rex) Davis of Carthage, Missouri; eleven grandchildren, Logan and Madison Backerman, Marci Reynolds, Levi and Leslie Jones, Angela Wallager, Steven Pearish II, Brett and Cole Backerman, Brittney Engelken and Emilee Gill; seventeen great-grandchildren; two brothers, Gene (Becky) Backerman, of Lamar, Missouri, and Charles “Jinks” (Pam) Wyrick of Carl Junction, Missouri; three sisters, Judy (Wally) Norton of Lamar, Missouri, Judy Silkwood of Neosho, Missouri, and Linda (Ed) Cook of Liberal, Missouri.

Jim is preceded in death by his mother, June Simmons and stepfather, Bud Simmons; three brothers, Fred, Steve, and Gary Simmons; and two sisters, Carol Smythia and Drucilla O’Konski.

A private burial is scheduled for Saturday, August 23, 2025, at Fasken Cemetery, Carthage, Missouri, followed by a public Celebration of Life to be held at 100 Grand Event Center, Jasper, Missouri, from 2-4 pm where his family would enjoy sharing memories, telling Jim’s favorite jokes, and reminiscing the good times we all had with him.

Online condolences may be made at www.ulmerfh.com.