James Leon Mccune

James L. McCune
James Leon McCune, 88, of Frontenac, MO passed away on Monday, August 16, 2010, at Missouri Baptist Hospital in suburban St. Louis, MO.
Jim was born in Kirksville, MO on June 28, 1922 to Arvel and Muriel Robbins McCune. He married Anna Rosalie Damron on Dec 25, 1941 in Kahoka, MO. To this marriage, 3 daughters and 1 son were born. In 1981, he married Carolyn Penn in Brentwood, MO.
Jim was preceded in death by his father and mother, an infant daughter Sandra Kay McCune, and his brother Howard McCune.
He is survived by his wife Carolyn of the home, three children, Judy Orendorff of Omaha, NE, Larry (Diana) McCune of Wylie, TX, and Deborah Gelvin of Omaha, NE; six grandsons, Edward Orendorff, Mike (Rita) McCune, Scott (Kelly) McCune, Andrew (Katrina) McCune, Cody Gelvin and Connor Gelvin; three step-grandchildren, Jim, Kristyn, and Mark Wyers; three great-grandchildren, Aubree, Tysen and Caden McCune, and three step-great-grandchildren, Bailee, Rhett, and Kylee Davis.
In his early years Jim lived with his maternal grandparents John and Isabelle Robbins near Graysville, MO. After the death of his grandfather in 1931, he moved to Kirksville to live with his father and stepmother. He attended Graysville and Kirksville schools, graduating from Kirksville High School in 1940. He served in the US Army from November, 1942 to November, 1945, which included an 11 month tour of duty in Europe. After W.W.II, he was a groceryman until about 1957 and then a Meat Cutter for Mackie and William's Food Stores and Mansfield Food Liner in Kirksville for 24 years, and retired in May, 1981. For over two years, he worked in the Electrical Department for Central Hardware in Ballwin, MO.
Music was very important to Jim. He took up the trumpet in 4th grade and continued playing until about 1995 with performances in various school and dance bands in the 1940's and 1950's and the Adair County Fair Band in Kirksville. In St. Louis he performed with the St. Louis Community College Symphonic Band for 12 years and during 9 of these years also played with the Kirkwood AIM Band. He played with the 103rd Infantry Division Band during W.W. II which performed in Texas, Louisiana, and Europe for parades and concerts. Jim also played organ and some guitar by ear.
Other hobbies included golfing at the Chesterfield Golf Club where he enjoyed presiding over the monthly senior men's league barbecue, woodworking, and following St. Louis Cardinals baseball, and professional football and basketball.
Jim will be missed greatly by his family and everyone who knew him.
Visitation will be held Saturday, August 21 at the Davis-Playle-Hudson-Rimer Funeral Home from 2:00-4:00 PM followed by service at 4:00 PM. Rev. Robert Shobe will officiate. Music will be provided by Dianthe Cable, organist and Connor Gelvin, soloist, singing "On Eagles' Wings" and "You are Mine". Private burial will be in Highland Park Cemetery.
Pallbearers will be Jim's six beloved grandsons. Honorary pallbearers will be Larry McCune, Harlan Penn, Thomas McFarland, and Sharon Veith.
The family would very much like to visit with you.  Please call Davis-Playle-Hudson-Rimer Funeral Home in advance if you need a ride to attend.
Davis-Playle-Hudson-Rimer Funeral Home
2100 E. Shepherd Ave.
Kirksville, MO 63501 660-665-2233
Expressions of sympathy in memory of James McCune may be made to donor's choice.