James Edward Gates

James Edward Gates

James Edward Gates, 41, of Girard, died Tuesday, March 4, 2014 at his residence in Girard.

He was born Aug. 31, 1972 in Vinita, Okla., a son of Gloria James. He grew up in Radley and graduated from Girard High School and Fort Scott Community Junior College.

James and Michelle Kirby were married on Jan. 10, 1998 in the First Presbyterian Church in Girard. She survives of the home.

James worked at Foster Dairy in Fort Scott, the Loren and Ilene Reith family farm near Hepler, the Johnson family farm near Girard, and he was currently working as a foreman for the Segebartt family farm near Hepler.

He enjoyed his family, friends, duck hunting, fishing, camping and he was a charter member of the Cow Creek Ducks Unlimited chapter in Girard.

James attended Living Faith Nazarene Church near Girard. He was a member of the Fort Scott Masonic Lodge, the Consistory in Fort Scott, and the Mirza Shrine in Pittsburg.

Survivors, in addition to his wife, Michelle, of the home, are his mother, Gloria James; a step-son, Nicholas Kirby of Joplin and his girlfriend, Tomi Roark of Joplin; God daughter and God son Aaron and Megan Morris and their children Addison and Avery of Cherokee; brother-in-law Shane Smith and his wife Staci of Girard; nephews Kaleb, Coulter, Justin, Joe, Jesse; nieces Raele, Basia, Arlene; mother-in-law Sharon Starr and her husband Gary of Girard; sister, Michelle Pryor of Pittsburg; numerous aunts, uncles, and cousins.

James was preceded in death by a step-son, Geramie Wade Kirby, on April 26, 2003, his father-in-law, Jack Stewart, on May 3, 2005, his loyal hunting buddy, Mynie, and his grandparents.

Funeral services will be at 10:30 a.m., Monday at the Smith-Carson-Wall Funeral Home in Girard with Pastor Dale Samuels officiating. Burial will be in the Girard Cemetery.

The family will receive friends from 6 to 8 p.m., Sunday at the Smith-Carson-Wall Funeral Home where friends may call after 1 p.m., Sunday.

In lieu of flowers, memorials are suggested to the Geramie Wade Kirby Scholarship Fund or the Cow Creek Chapter of Ducks Unlimited and these may be left at the Smith-Carson-Wall Funeral Home, 518 W St. John, Box 258, Girard, 66743.

Condolences may be sent to www.wallfuneralservices.com