James Floyd (Pard) Eades
James Floyd (Pard) Eades
On Sunday, October 11, 2020, James Floyd (Pard) Eades, age 77, received his ultimate promotion and joined all those waiting and rejoicing with open arms in heaven. James was brought into the world on May 4, 1943 at Christa Hogan Hospital in West Plains, MO by his parents, Melvin James (Chick) and Dollie Eades (Bryson). James grew up south of West Plains and attended Lost Spring School during his elementary years. He fondly recalled memories of the school and made lifelong friends from those times. Invaluable lessons and knowledge was gained through his dad and uncles. He learned to hunt, fish, cut timber, run a sawmill, a bulldozer and fix almost anything without spending a dime. He graduated from West Plains High School with the Class of 1961. James met the love of his life on a hay ride in 1962, knew she was the one and married her on March 8, 1964 at China Union Church south of West Plains. With life by the tail and all their belongings in a ’57 Ford Fairlane, he moved them to Kansas City. There he worked for Greenwell Tractor Supply, Great Northern Electric and Allis-Chalmers. Longing for country life, they moved back to West Plains in 1968 where he partnered with his dad at Eades’ and Son Sawmill. He built his log home in the woods using the trees from the land he loved so much. It was also there James and Linda would work side by side for the remainder of his days. In the early 1970’s James worked and learned the machine shop trade at his father-in-law’s business, Bates Machine Shop. In 1974 James found his calling and began Eades’ Machine Works. With just a high-school diploma, he was self-taught to become one of the most respected machinists in the area. After his retirement in 2010, James returned to the land and his farm. He loved all things fishing, bulldozing, combining seed, tractors, welding and sawmills. But, most of all, he cherished his family.
He is survived by his wife, Linda, of the family home; two daughters, Jalynn Meidell and Cynthia Lee and husband, Troy, of West Plains. He was PawPaw to 5 grandchildren: Keegan Osborne, Lathan Osborne, Melinda Lee, Carly Osborne and Morgan Lee and one great-grandchild, Ellie Jo Osborne. He leaves one sister, Margret Wiltfong of DeSoto, Kansas; and a brother-in-law, Clifford Bates of Marshfield, MO. He was Uncle Pard to his Nephews; Paul Wiltfong (Regina) of Olathe, Kansas, Doug Wiltfong (Pam) of Kansas City, MO, Scott Bates (Brandie),of Erin, Tennessee, and nieces; Elaine Cornman (Wes) of Marshfield, Missouri and Candy Bates of Durant, Texas, and as well as several cousins, great nieces and nephews. He also leaves behind so many kind neighbors and friends.
James is preceded in death by his parents, son-in-law, Mike Meidell; brothers-in-law, Ronald Bates and David Wiltfong, sister-in-law, Renee Bates and a niece, Vicki Bates. Certainly not to be forgotten are his special fishing buddies that will be waiting with fishing poles in heaven: Mark Newman, Eddie Kimes, and Ernie Armstrong.
Mr. Eades will lie in state from 5:00 until 8:00 p.m., Friday, at the Langston Street Chapel of Robertson-Drago Funeral Home. Funeral Services will be held on Saturday, October 17, 2020 at 10:30 a.m. at the Eades’ Family Farm located 11 1/2 miles south on JJ Highway in West Plains. Markers will be posted. The dress will be very casual. Interment will be held immediately following the ceremony at Evergreen Cemetery.
Donations can be made in James’ name to Evergreen Cemetery, The Michael J. Fox Foundation for Parkinson’s Research or Autism Speaks and may be left at or mailed to Robertson-Drago Funeral Home, 211 West Main, West Plains, MO 65775.
Debbie Hatley
October 12, 2020 @ 3:15 pm
What a great neighbor and friend James was. We enjoyed his visits and common sense advise he shared with us. We will miss him, but will always cherish the memories we had of him.
Myra Sasseen
October 16, 2020 @ 12:16 pm
Linda, so saddened by the passing of James. He was a good man. I’ve thought of you all often, you are in my prayers. Sincerely, Myra.
Darrell Jarman
October 12, 2020 @ 4:50 pm
I was so sorry to hear of Pard’s passing. My deepest sympathy to all the family.
Amber Redburn
October 12, 2020 @ 6:59 pm
The Eades Family,
We want to extend our deepest sympathy to all of you on the passing of James. All of you will be in our daily thoughts/prayers. During this difficult time may God give all of you peace, comfort, encouragement, and strength daily. May God bless all of you.
In Christian Love,
Norris/Ivene Cozort
Tim, Amber, and Corby Redburn
joe Smith
October 12, 2020 @ 7:41 pm
I am not a person who uses the word friend lightly, and I a proud to say that James and I were friends for most of my life. I’ll miss him, he was one of the smartest people I ever knew. As his famiy, you will be in our thoughts and prayers. Joe and Linda Smith
Check and Janet Smith
October 12, 2020 @ 8:15 pm
Thoughts and prayers go out to Pards family.
Martha Tuttle
October 12, 2020 @ 8:49 pm
James was truly a great neighbor and friend! He always had a smile and was more than willing to lend a helping hand! Our deepest sympathy to the family. May you find comfort in knowing our thoughts and prayers are with you at this time of loss. May God’s peace comfort you.
Joyetta and Ron Booker
October 13, 2020 @ 4:16 pm
James was a very special man who was level headed and always eager to help out someone in need. Losing someone who is this amazing is extremely hard because their absence here on earth leaves a bigger hole in our hearts. I am proud to call The Eades family my neighbors and friends. Our thoughts and prayers are with the family in the times ahead.
Lonnie & Cheryl Matney
October 13, 2020 @ 5:10 pm
James was such a good person. He always seemed to have a twinkle in his eye and a great smile. He had
a quiet sense of humor. James will never really leave us, he will always live on in the hearts and memories
of all who knew and loved him. Keeping you in our thoughts and prayer
Ashley Matejek
October 14, 2020 @ 6:59 am
James will most certainly be missed. What a special soul that created an incredible family. I will miss seeing he and Linda together as they walk hand and hand. Seeing his love and affection for her was the sweetest thing. I know he was so proud of his girls and the entire family. Prayers for comfort to each of you.
Diana Brown
October 14, 2020 @ 7:46 am
Linda and Family,
My heartfelt love and prayers for you. It’s hard to say goodbye to such an amazing man. My hope is that those special memories can help carry you through the difficult days ahead.
Kathy Beaty
October 14, 2020 @ 3:33 pm
Jalynn and family,
So sorry to hear of your dad’s passing.
Cherish his memories.
You’re in my thoughts and prayers for comfort.
Kathy Cozort-Beaty, LPN (Retired)
Melody Lewis
October 15, 2020 @ 1:00 pm
Jalynn, Linda and family, so sorry to hear this. You guys are in our thoughts and prayers
Linda L. Holstine
October 15, 2020 @ 3:34 pm
Linda and family. My love and prayers are for you at this time. May God bless and uphold you at this time.
Linda Holstine
Linda & Jean Miller
October 15, 2020 @ 11:54 pm
Our thoughts and prayers are with you Linda, and your girls and their families in this time of loss of your beloved James. So thankful that we were able to spend time with you on your trip to Oregon. That will be our treasured memories of Dad and James together.
Paul Wiltfong
October 16, 2020 @ 12:52 pm
For many years I looked forward to spending summers weeks in southern Missouri. My uncle James always knew a great fishing hole or some other truely fun activity. I cant tell you how many hours I road a dozer, tractor or combine with him. He always made doing about anything fun. After several summers he had peaked my interest in the metal working machine shop work. And from that time forward we always had something fun to talk about. I will deeply miss my uncle Pard!
Jennie
October 17, 2020 @ 9:23 am
We have lost a very precious member of our Eades family.He was truly one of a kind such a gentle and kind man. We will all miss him so much.I pray for the family as they began a life without one they all loved so dearly!