(From Ozark Funeral Home)Lifelong McDonald County resident, James Bernard Tatum, passed away peacefully with his wife, Lynn, at his side in their Pineville home on December 8, 2020.
A businessman, soldier, and educator, Jim is remembered for his love of life, family, God, country, Crowder College and his respect for others. He was a voracious reader and loved learning.
From philosophy, to political science, history, military strategy, ethics, world religions, art, leadership, cattle breeding, and finance, his search for knowledge and understanding was never ending. He will be missed beyond measure by his adoring family and friends.
Jim was born in Carthage, Missouri, on July 24th, 1925, to James Marshall Tatum and Ruth Bernard Tatum. An only child, Jim was raised in Anderson, attended Anderson schools and during his youth worked in a variety of jobs for his grandfather, George Tatum, in his various businesses. Jim loved scouting and basketball. He attained the rank of Eagle Scout and was selected for the All-State basketball team.
In 1942 Jim left high school early to attend Wentworth Military Academy. He started and lettered on both the football and basketball teams. He briefly attended the University of Arkansas where he was a member of the Kappa Sigma fraternity. While there, he received a Congressional appointment to the United States Military Academy at West Point. In a wartime class that was split, Jim was part of a group who graduated in three years. He was remembered by his 1947 classmates for his sense of humor even during stressful times.
Commissioned as a Second Lieutenant, his first assignment was at Fort Riley, Kansas. In 1948 he was united in marriage with Kathryn Grace Pickens, a resident of Joplin, Missouri. They had four children and spent 50 special years together prior to Kay’s death in 1997.
They were then assigned to Fort Benning, Ga, where Jim earned the coveted Expert Infantry Badge. Next came Japan and assignment to the 11th Airborne Division. When the 11th Airborne returned to the United States, Jim opted to transfer to the 7th Infantry Division. He was the Commander of Headquarters and Headquarters Company, 2nd Battalion, 32nd Infantry Regiment at the outbreak of the Korean War.
Shortly after their successful landing on Inchon, Jim was soon reassigned to command a Light Infantry company. F company was one of only two companies to fight their way to the Yalu River overlooking Manchuria. When China entered the war the 32nd Infantry Regiment was pushed back through the Chosin Reservoir into southern Korea where they regrouped and pushed back north. When Captain Tatum’s Battalion Commander’s convoy was ambushed, he led one of his platoons to repel and defeat the guerillas.
While helping a wounded soldier up on a tank, Captain Tatum was severely wounded in his legs. He was medevac'd to Percy Jones Medical Center, Battle Creek, Michigan, where he spent 16 months recovering.
For his service he was awarded the Bronze Star with Valor, two awards of the Purple Heart and the Combat Infantry Badge. Captain Tatum was medically retired from the United States Army at his last duty station, Fort Riley, Kansas. in 1953.
Upon his return to the civilian world, he returned to Anderson to take over his family’s automobile and farm equipment businesses, Tatum Motor Company. He also embarked on what would become his life's passion.
Upon his return to the civilian world, he returned to Anderson to take over his family’s automobile and farm equipment businesses, Tatum Motor Company. He also embarked on what would become his life's passion.
After initially serving as President of the local PTA and the Anderson and McDonald County school boards, he and a group of concerned local citizens took Robert Anderson’s, Superintendent of Neosho Schools, vision to create additional educational opportunities for Newton and McDonald County residents.
After a five-year effort where he co-authored the legislation creating community colleges in the state of Missouri, led the campaign to create a local junior college district and acquire 600 acres of land from the federal government after Fort Crowder was closed, Crowder College was opened in 1963.
Jim was elected the first Chairman of the Board of Trustees, a position he held for over forty-five years – a span of time which still stands as a record for community colleges nationwide.
Jim was elected the first Chairman of the Board of Trustees, a position he held for over forty-five years – a span of time which still stands as a record for community colleges nationwide.
In the over fifty years that Jim was on the board, Crowder College grew in size, student body and prestige. But not all of Jim’s endeavors were devoted solely to Crowder College. As his efforts at Crowder gained national recognition his service to the educational community greatly expanded. His exemplary leadership led to invitations to become a trainer of other college boards and a consultant in college presidential searches. In this capacity, he eventually worked with almost 300 colleges throughout the United States and Canada.
Jim became a member of the Board of the Association of Community College Trustees and served as Board President. He later served on the boards of the Association of Governing Board of Colleges and University (only community college trustee) and the Association of Community Colleges. He received the Distinguished Service Award from all three-the only Trustee to do so. He also served on the Missouri Community College Association and received their highest award. Of special note was his service as a member of President Ronald Reagan’s U.S. Educational Advisory Board from 1982 to 1988.
Other awards and recognition include being named a Missouri Pioneer in Education and is the only Trustee to be admitted to the Missouri Community College Hall of Fame. He was named “Outstanding Missourian” in 2014 by the Missouri Legislature. Also, in 2014 he received Missouri State University’s highest honorary degree, a Doctor of Public Affairs. In 2016 the state legislature approved the designation of the “James B. Tatum Highway” for a portion of Interstate Highway 49 in Newton County.
In 1978 Jim met Robert Greenleaf, the foremost proponent of “Servant Leadership” at that time. They forged a lasting friendship and their relationship led to Jim being named Board Chairman of the Greenleaf Center upon Mr. Greenleaf’s death. At the time, servant leadership was an interesting philosophy but not well known to corporate America. Under Jim’s leadership, servant leadership grew into a world-wide movement. This philosophy was instilled in Crowder College and has led to it gaining a national reputation as a student-centered institution. Jim helped create the servant leadership inspired Crowder College mission statement which reads: “Building a Civil, Serving, Literate, Learning Community of Responsible Citizens.”
On August 8, 2008, the Tatum Bell Tower, the focal point of the Crowder College-Neosho campus was dedicated in Jim’s honor. Through the generosity of citizens of Newton and McDonald County, a Crowder College location was built in Jane, Missouri. In January of 2014 it was dedicated as the James B. Tatum Hall.
Formerly active in politics, Jim served as Chair of the McDonald County Republican Party. He also served as head of the host Missouri Ronald Reagan delegation for the 1976 Republican convention held in Kansas City. Additionally, he served as the statewide Missouri co-chair for George H.W. Bush’s presidential campaign. Today’s lack of civility among some politicians and in the media left him very disappointed.
Lucky to find love again, Jim met Dr. Margaret Lynn Hills at an education conference. They were married January 15, 2000 in Southlake, TX. They were blessed to enjoy family, friends, their dogs and world travel together. He was especially appreciative of her love and care these past few years.
He is survived by Lynn, his daughter, Susan L. Brown (David), a son, Colonel, USA, (Ret) James P. (Marla), a daughter, Kathy L. Davis and a son, David P. (Yuka), a step daughter, Shannon L. Wonnacott (Cheri), and a step son, Sean J. Wonnacott. Seven grandchildren – Mark C. Danuser (Christine), Jennifer Tatum-Holmes (Christian), James M. Tatum II (Laura), Kathryn B. Hobbs (Ryan), Lauren E. Westlund (Daniel), Eiljah J. Tatum and Shakya A. Tatum, step-grandsons William B. Davis (Jennifer), Brandon T. Davis (Sara), S. Luke Wonnacott, Adam D. Wonnacott and step-granddaughter Shelby L. Wonnacott. Nine great-grandchildren and six step great-grandchildren. Two cousins, Susan Brace Harlan and George Tatum Brace (Leslie).
Crowder College will host a memorial service in honor of Mr. Tatum at a date to be determined.
Friends may view and pay their respects on Thursday and Friday from 9:00 a.m. until 6:00 p.m. in the chapel of Ozark Funeral Home in Anderson, Missouri. Private burial will follow in the Anderson Cemetery.
In lieu of customary remembrances, the family requests with gratitude that memorial contributions be made to Jim’s legacy, the Crowder College Tatum Family Scholarship Fund. Donations can be made to the Crowder Foundation, Inc., 601 Laclede, Neosho, MO 64850, or online at www.Crowder.edu/foundation. Online condolences may be sent to the family through Ozark Funeral Home’s website www.ozarkfuneralhome.com.
Jim became a member of the Board of the Association of Community College Trustees and served as Board President. He later served on the boards of the Association of Governing Board of Colleges and University (only community college trustee) and the Association of Community Colleges. He received the Distinguished Service Award from all three-the only Trustee to do so. He also served on the Missouri Community College Association and received their highest award. Of special note was his service as a member of President Ronald Reagan’s U.S. Educational Advisory Board from 1982 to 1988.
Other awards and recognition include being named a Missouri Pioneer in Education and is the only Trustee to be admitted to the Missouri Community College Hall of Fame. He was named “Outstanding Missourian” in 2014 by the Missouri Legislature. Also, in 2014 he received Missouri State University’s highest honorary degree, a Doctor of Public Affairs. In 2016 the state legislature approved the designation of the “James B. Tatum Highway” for a portion of Interstate Highway 49 in Newton County.
In 1978 Jim met Robert Greenleaf, the foremost proponent of “Servant Leadership” at that time. They forged a lasting friendship and their relationship led to Jim being named Board Chairman of the Greenleaf Center upon Mr. Greenleaf’s death. At the time, servant leadership was an interesting philosophy but not well known to corporate America. Under Jim’s leadership, servant leadership grew into a world-wide movement. This philosophy was instilled in Crowder College and has led to it gaining a national reputation as a student-centered institution. Jim helped create the servant leadership inspired Crowder College mission statement which reads: “Building a Civil, Serving, Literate, Learning Community of Responsible Citizens.”
On August 8, 2008, the Tatum Bell Tower, the focal point of the Crowder College-Neosho campus was dedicated in Jim’s honor. Through the generosity of citizens of Newton and McDonald County, a Crowder College location was built in Jane, Missouri. In January of 2014 it was dedicated as the James B. Tatum Hall.
Formerly active in politics, Jim served as Chair of the McDonald County Republican Party. He also served as head of the host Missouri Ronald Reagan delegation for the 1976 Republican convention held in Kansas City. Additionally, he served as the statewide Missouri co-chair for George H.W. Bush’s presidential campaign. Today’s lack of civility among some politicians and in the media left him very disappointed.
Lucky to find love again, Jim met Dr. Margaret Lynn Hills at an education conference. They were married January 15, 2000 in Southlake, TX. They were blessed to enjoy family, friends, their dogs and world travel together. He was especially appreciative of her love and care these past few years.
He is survived by Lynn, his daughter, Susan L. Brown (David), a son, Colonel, USA, (Ret) James P. (Marla), a daughter, Kathy L. Davis and a son, David P. (Yuka), a step daughter, Shannon L. Wonnacott (Cheri), and a step son, Sean J. Wonnacott. Seven grandchildren – Mark C. Danuser (Christine), Jennifer Tatum-Holmes (Christian), James M. Tatum II (Laura), Kathryn B. Hobbs (Ryan), Lauren E. Westlund (Daniel), Eiljah J. Tatum and Shakya A. Tatum, step-grandsons William B. Davis (Jennifer), Brandon T. Davis (Sara), S. Luke Wonnacott, Adam D. Wonnacott and step-granddaughter Shelby L. Wonnacott. Nine great-grandchildren and six step great-grandchildren. Two cousins, Susan Brace Harlan and George Tatum Brace (Leslie).
Crowder College will host a memorial service in honor of Mr. Tatum at a date to be determined.
Friends may view and pay their respects on Thursday and Friday from 9:00 a.m. until 6:00 p.m. in the chapel of Ozark Funeral Home in Anderson, Missouri. Private burial will follow in the Anderson Cemetery.
In lieu of customary remembrances, the family requests with gratitude that memorial contributions be made to Jim’s legacy, the Crowder College Tatum Family Scholarship Fund. Donations can be made to the Crowder Foundation, Inc., 601 Laclede, Neosho, MO 64850, or online at www.Crowder.edu/foundation. Online condolences may be sent to the family through Ozark Funeral Home’s website www.ozarkfuneralhome.com.
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