Jim Girdley
Funeral services for James D “Jim” Girdley, 66, Pomona, Missouri, formerly of Willow Springs, Missouri, will be held at 2:00 p.m., Monday, July 9, 2012, in the Rose Chapel at Robertson-Drago Funeral Home.
Mr. Girdley died at his home at 8:05 a.m., Wednesday, July 4, 2012, after a short illness, surrounded by his family.
He was born April 2, 1946, at West Plains, Missouri, to Ernest and Maxine (Jones) Girdley. On September 16, 1972, he was married at Pomona, Missouri, to Frankie Forrester. Mr. Girdley was a veteran having served in the United States Army. For many years, Jim owned and operated J&J Auto Supply in Willow Springs, Missouri. He was employed by the United States Postal Service as a rural carrier in Pomona, Missouri for over thirty years. He was a member of the Willow Springs School Board for many years, having served as Vice President and President. Also, he had been a member of the Willow Springs Rotary Club since 1973 and operated the Rotary league baseball program for many, many years. He loved the outdoors and enjoyed hunting and fishing. Jim was a member of the First Christian Church, Willow Springs, Missouri.
Jim was a loving husband, father and grandfather (PaPa) and will be greatly missed by all family and friends.
He is survived by his beloved wife, Frankie Girdley, of the family home; two children, Felicia Girdley, friend, Roxy Penrose, Springfield, Missouri and Jarrod Girdley, wife, Melissa, West Plains, Missouri; three grandchildren, Jeron, Parker and Tristan Girdley; aunts Barbara Tyler and Jean Jones, Springfield, Missouri, and Sadie Jones, Batesville, Arkansas; uncle, Jack Jones, Willow Springs, Missouri; and many cousins, including special cousins, David and Dane Hicks, Craig and Larry Jones, Becky Jarvis, Ginger Tackitt and Carol Ann Spears.
His parents, four uncles and one aunt, Harold “Kak” Jones, Lester “Spec” Jones and wife, Pearl Jones, Garold Jones and Frank David Hicks, precede him in death.
Visitation will be from 6:00 until 8:00 p.m., Sunday, July 8, 2012 at Robertson-Drago Funeral Home. Burial will be in the Howell Memorial Park Cemetery. It was Jim’s wishes in lieu of flowers memorial contributions may be made to the Scholarship Fund for his grandchildren, and may be left at Robertson-Drago Funeral Home.
BILL TANDY
July 5, 2012 @ 6:36 pm
Jim was a classmate all through grade school and high school. I bought my first car from Jim for $100. a 1947 Ford Jim had put a new paint job on at Chet Chanberlins Ford Dealership. Sometimes it would backfire and blow the muffler off. I was always telling Jim he didn’t tell me that and he’d say he did not drive it like he was in the Indy 500 like I did. Jim was a good good man and a big part of my time in Willow Springs. Spent more than a few days in his purple 1960 Ford convertible. I’ll remember him as always laughing and never saying anything bad about anybody. I am sad and will miss Jimmy Girdley. MY FRIEND. BILL TANDY
Frances West
July 5, 2012 @ 10:31 pm
Frankie and family…
So sorry to learn of Jim’s passing. He was a great person. You are all in my thoughts and prayers. God Bless you all…….
Lisa Toler
July 7, 2012 @ 11:58 am
I am so sorry to hear of Jim’s passing. Jim was much more than just my mailman – I was also proud to call him my friend. He took his job very seriously, including looking out for those he delivered to. Many’s the time when he would honk just so I would come outside so he could make sure that I was ok since he hadn’t seen me for a few days and wondered if there might be a problem – above and beyond the call of duty but that’s how Jim was. To the Girdley family – please except my sincere condolences and know that you are all in my prayers. Jim will be missed greatly.
Karen Hayes
July 8, 2012 @ 8:54 pm
Frankie I was shocked to hear about Jim my sincere sympathy to you and your family.
Karen Hayes
Jamie Gentry
July 9, 2012 @ 12:50 pm
I grew up with Jarrod and played baseball with Jim as our coach. I will always remember Jim as MY BASEBALL COACH.
While growing up in Willow Springs, I got the privilege of going on a few Girdley family outings to North Fork Lake in the RV, trips to Branson and Springfield. Jim was a very nice man and made sure us kids always had a good time.
I’ll never forget the time I took my compound bow over to the Girdleys farm to show my “new” bow hunting skills. Jarred and I set off to “hunt” squirrels. Jim said “Don’t shoot the red ones, we can’t eat them, their too tuff ” We’ll we (Jarred and I) didn’t expect to hit anything but we shot at everything! and…the only thing we came back with was red squirrel !! Jarred and I thought Jim would be happy to see that our skills were good enough to shoot a squirrel out of a tree…..Boy were we wrong… Jim was mad! 🙂 He never let us two go hunting alone together again. 🙂 That is just one of many memories I had with the Girdley family as a kid, but for some reason, I remember that one the most. 🙂
I fee very luck to have know Jim and to have grow up with Jarred and the Girdley family.
I was very shocked to hear about the passing of Jim and my thoughts and prayers go out to the Girdley family.
Jamie Gentry and Family
robin collins
July 9, 2012 @ 8:02 pm
Mr Girdley, as we know him, always met us with a smile and a wave at our mailboxes, he went beyond just his job description for me and my family, often meeting us with a paycheck we needed at the post office before he would go out on his route, because he knew the banks would be closed before he got to our home. We have known he wasnt running or route for a while, but did not know why, and are sorry for his familys’ loss. He was like a friend to all he delivered mail too. We will miss him too.
Ron Smith
July 29, 2012 @ 5:52 pm
I was shocked and saddened to hear about Jim’s passing. I was friends with Jim in school and have fond memories of hunting and fishing with him. My thoughts and prayers go out to the entire family.
Ron Smith
Michael & Donna Balewitz
July 31, 2012 @ 9:06 am
Frankie – we just found out about Jim – we are so so sorry. He was a very kind and gentle man. We loved visiting with him when we did his horse and mule. You are in our thoughts and prays. Frankie if you need us call. Again we are so very sorry. The world has lost a true gentle person.