James Edward Engelhard

James (Jim) Edward Engelhard, age 84, of Excelsior Springs, Missouri passed away Tuesday, June 14, 2022.

Celebration of Life services will be held Saturday, July 9, 2022, at 3:00 p.m. at Park Baptist Church, Brookfield with Pastor David Blakely officiating. Visitation will be from 1:30 p.m. until the time of service at the church. Burial will follow at Rose Hill Cemetery in Brookfield.  Arrangement are under the direction of Wright Funeral Home, Brookfield, Missouri.

James Edward was born January 25, 1938, in Marceline, Missouri, the son of Elgin Ernest and Mabel Marie (Roberts) Engelhard. He graduated Marceline High School in 1956 and served in the Army obtaining the rank of Specialist-4. He married Margaret (Margie) Ann O’Dell on August 23, 1959, in Brookfield, MO where they resided with their two sons, Dennis and Dan.

Jim relocated his family to Kirksville, Missouri after taking a job promotion in 1974.  After living in Kirksville for many years, he and his wife Marge moved to Excelsior Springs in 1998, again with a job promotion, where he resided until his death.

Jim was employed with Ameren (formerly known as Union Electric and Missouri Power and Light) for 40-years retiring in 2008.  During his employment he served as District Auditor and Chief Line Worker.  He was also employed as Parts Manager at the Ford Dealership in Brookfield, and for the Santa Fe Railroad. 

Jim was involved in many community groups including Boy Scouts, Jaycee’s, Kiwanis, the Masonic Lodge in Marceline, and the Eastern Star.  He was on the Brookfield City Council where he also served as Mayor.  He was a member of Park Baptist Church in Brookfield where he taught Sunday School.  He was a Deacon at First Baptist Church in Kirksville and was a founding member of Fellowship Baptist Church in Kirksville. 

He enjoyed farming and outdoor activities, including hunting and fishing, and spending time at Lake of the Ozarks.  He was known as a master mower by many of his neighbors and was skilled in many handyman tasks.  He enjoyed watching and cheering his grandchildren’s many sporting and school events.  He enjoyed teasing his (only) granddaughter, Jenna, that she was his favorite granddaughter. Jim was also an avid reader of Western books and loved watching the Western Channel!

Jim is survived by his wife Marge of the home, his son, Dan and wife Kelly of Oak Grove, Missouri, and three grandchildren, Jacob and Jackson of Lee’s Summit, Missouri and Jenna of Oak Grove, Missouri.

Jim was preceded in death by his parents; two brothers, Robert and Louis Engelhard of Marceline, and son, Dennis.   

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