J. C. Embrey

(From Clark Funeral Home)

James ‘JC’ Embrey passed away after a short illness at Circle of Life Hospice, with family by his side, on September 9, 2020, at the age of 88. 

JC was born on a farm west of Fairview, on August 27, 1932, one of seven children to Herman and Pearl (Argabright) Embrey. JC was a lifelong resident of the area and is remembered for his strong work ethic, love for his family and community, and for always wearing his favorite black cowboy hat. 

He graduated in 1951 from Fairview High School and attended Southwest Missouri State before entering the Navy for four years. 

Upon returning from his Navy enlistment, he bought a farm, southwest of Fairview, and married Kathryn Bandy, February 14, 1959. During this time he also worked at Rocketdyne of Neosho for 12 years and helped build the first space ship that America sent up. JC and Kathryn shared 24 years before her passing in 1983. JC married Wanda Phelps Vanslyke in 1990 and shared 27 years before her passing in 2017. 

JC was a faithful member of Jones Chapel Free Will Baptist Church, Board Member for Stella Senior Citizens Center and a member of the Stark City CO-OP. JC enjoyed time with his family, being a cattle farmer, attending the Friday Night dance events at the Senior Citizens Center as well as fishing. 

JC is survived by four children; Dennis and wife Michelle Embrey of Stella, Missouri, Bruce and wife Lori Embrey of Carthage, Missouri, Cindy Kirk of Lowell, Arkansas and Linda and husband Jim of Joplin, Missouri; two brothers; Melvin Embrey of Wichita, Kansas and Ethan and wife Rita Embrey of Fairview, Missouri; one sister, Janice and husband Bruce Cluck of Wichita, Kansas; eight grandchildren; Brenda, Johnathan, Katelynn, Michael, Sara, Jamie, Jennifer and Allison; and nine great grandchildren. 

In addition to his parents, he is preceded in death by two brothers; Carol Embrey and John Embrey; one sister, Darlene Epp; two grandchildren and one great grandchild. 

Family and Friends may call at the Clark Funeral home Granby, on Friday, September 11 from 9-5pm and the family will receive friends from 5-7 pm for Visitation. Funeral services will be Saturday, September 12, 2020 at 10am at Clark Funeral Home, Granby. Pastor Michael Blewett will be officiating. Interment will follow at Dice Cemetery. 

Contributions in memory of JC may be made to Jones Chapel Free Will Baptist Church , c/o Clark Funeral Home, PO Box 66; Granby, MO 64844.