(From Beasley Wood Funeral Home)Daniel Ray James, 57, of Plunketville, USA passed away on January 15, 2025, in Joplin, Missouri, surrounded by his family. Daniel was born on July 18, 1967, in Talihina, Oklahoma. He was a loving father, devoted son, cherished brother, PAPA and a true patriot who served his country with honor.
Dan’s love for his family was immeasurable, and his passion for serving his country was even greater. He dedicated 22 years of his life to the military, retiring as First Sergeant James.
His service was marked by numerous accolades, including being named Soldier of the Year multiple times and NCO of the Year. Though he was always humble about his accomplishments, he took great pride in his work, having been hand-selected for his role during Operation Enduring Freedom with CITCOM. His quiet dedication and unwavering commitment to his mission were the foundation of his life in the service.
Beyond his military career, Daniel was a man of many interests. He found joy in umpiring baseball games, watching sports, and being an avid fan of Oklahoma Sooner sports, the Dallas Cowboys (even when they let him down, which Jerry did until the very end), and his AFC team, the Kansas City Chiefs. He had an incredible ability to watch countless hours of sports without ever losing interest—his knowledge of the game rivaled anyone’s.
Daniel also treasured the simple pleasures of life—spending time with his family during the summer, gardening with his daughter, planting flowers, and enjoying lake days with his loved ones. November was always a special time for him, as he would head to deer camp with his family, creating memories with food, laughter, and his signature way of "fixing" things that weren’t actually broken. We called it Dangineering you could always find his brother-in-law Mike shaking his head and then David and Mike are still scratching their heads at things he did and why, but it makes them smile and laugh. So if something is broken and you can’t figure out why, Laugh and say damn it Dan.
Daniel is preceded in death by his beloved mother, Sue Dell James, his brother JD James, and his aunts Glenda Hartin and Charlene James. He is survived by his special friend, Pela Kaminiski(Warren, MI) , his son Alan James(Richland, MO) daughter Brittney, and his favorite son-in-law David Mattes( Joplin, MO) His little sister Shelly, and her husband (favorite brother in law) Mike Taylor of Plunketville, OK ; his father Mike Little; his brothers Johnnie (Sherrie) Hartin, Doug James, and Jerry James; his grandchildren Abel James, Nolan "Eagle Eye" Mattes, and Dylan James; his fur grandchildren Tate and Beau; nieces Lexy Taylor and Bryson Haskins, Haylee and Chad Roberts, Great fur nephew King, Great niece Paisley Roberts.
Daniel's family will hold a service to honor him at 2:00 p.m. on Friday, January 24, 2025, at the Choctaw Nation Chapel in Tuskahoma, Oklahoma, with full military honors to follow at the Choctaw Veterans Cemetery.
Beyond his military career, Daniel was a man of many interests. He found joy in umpiring baseball games, watching sports, and being an avid fan of Oklahoma Sooner sports, the Dallas Cowboys (even when they let him down, which Jerry did until the very end), and his AFC team, the Kansas City Chiefs. He had an incredible ability to watch countless hours of sports without ever losing interest—his knowledge of the game rivaled anyone’s.
Daniel also treasured the simple pleasures of life—spending time with his family during the summer, gardening with his daughter, planting flowers, and enjoying lake days with his loved ones. November was always a special time for him, as he would head to deer camp with his family, creating memories with food, laughter, and his signature way of "fixing" things that weren’t actually broken. We called it Dangineering you could always find his brother-in-law Mike shaking his head and then David and Mike are still scratching their heads at things he did and why, but it makes them smile and laugh. So if something is broken and you can’t figure out why, Laugh and say damn it Dan.
Daniel is preceded in death by his beloved mother, Sue Dell James, his brother JD James, and his aunts Glenda Hartin and Charlene James. He is survived by his special friend, Pela Kaminiski(Warren, MI) , his son Alan James(Richland, MO) daughter Brittney, and his favorite son-in-law David Mattes( Joplin, MO) His little sister Shelly, and her husband (favorite brother in law) Mike Taylor of Plunketville, OK ; his father Mike Little; his brothers Johnnie (Sherrie) Hartin, Doug James, and Jerry James; his grandchildren Abel James, Nolan "Eagle Eye" Mattes, and Dylan James; his fur grandchildren Tate and Beau; nieces Lexy Taylor and Bryson Haskins, Haylee and Chad Roberts, Great fur nephew King, Great niece Paisley Roberts.
Daniel's family will hold a service to honor him at 2:00 p.m. on Friday, January 24, 2025, at the Choctaw Nation Chapel in Tuskahoma, Oklahoma, with full military honors to follow at the Choctaw Veterans Cemetery.
A visitation will take place one hour prior to the service. Pallbearers will include Kelvin Keiss, Chad Roberts, Bryson Haskins, Greg Minor, Rob Elliot, Austin Hartin, and Tucker Hartin. Honorary pallbearers are Mike Taylor, Johnnie Hartin, Chuck Mattes, Archie McDaniel, Abel James, Nolan Mattes, and Dylan James.
In lieu of flowers, the family kindly requests donations be made to Charlie 22, a veteran’s support organization that helps veterans continue the work Daniel so deeply loved.
Arrangements are entrusted to Beasley Wood Funeral Home.
Online obituary and guestbook available at www.beasleywoodfuneralhome.com.
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