James Howard Byassee

James Howard Byassee MARION — James Howard Byassee, 94, went home to be with his Lord at 12:45 p.m. Wednesday, Aug. 26, 2009, in Fountains Nursing Home in Marion. Funeral services will be at 11 a.m. Saturday, Aug. 29, 2009, in Blue Funeral Home in Marion, with Dr. Bob Dickerson officiating. Interment will be next to his wife, Imogene, in Rose Hill Cemetery in Marion. Visitation will be from 6 to 8 p.m. Friday at the funeral home. Memorials may be made to First Baptist Church in Marion or the Marion Cultural and Civic Center Foundation. Military rites will be held at the cemetery by VFW Post 1301, American Legion Post 147 and the National Guard. Howard was born July 7, 1915, on a farm near Bardwell, Ky., to Sarah Elizabeth (Vaughn) and James Henry Byassee. He was ‘Bud” to his two sisters, Rosella Byassee Taylor, and Yolonde Byassee Peterson. The family moved to Creal Springs circa 1920, for his mother’s health from benefits of the Creal Springs Mineral Water. Howard graduated from Creal Springs School then Carbondale High School in Carbondale, where he was recruited to play basketball. As a young man, he traveled town to town to demonstrate and sell Wearever cookware. Howard married Imogene Lavender on Oct. 4, 1940, in Cape Girardeau, Mo. and celebrated 68 years together. Howard was a devoted husband, loving father, doting brother, proud grandfather and great-grandfather, loyal brother-in-law, faithful friend and humble servant. During the early years of World War II, he was a steel worker, tying rods for Bethesda Hospital in Maryland and in Florida. He also tied steel to build the Oak Ridge, Tenn. Nuclear Plant. He was a World War II Veteran, serving in the U.S. Army while stationed in the Philippines. In 1946 he joined his father as a Standard Oil Agent, then assumed ownership after his father’s death in 1947. Howard delivered gasoline, heating oil and diesel to homes, farms and businesses in the Southern Illinois counties of Williamson, Johnson and Saline. His kind-heartedness and generosity were well known by his customers — he made deliveries regardless of time of day, weather or lack of payment, so that little children would not go without heat. Howard was involved in the communities of Creal Springs and later, Marion. While residing in Creal Springs, he was a member of First Baptist Church, served on the Creel Springs School Board, and for a short time, he and his wife owned and operated a skating rink in Creal Springs. In the early 60’s Howard, Imogene and their two sons, James Henry and Donald Eugene, moved to Marion, after purchasing the Marion Standard Oil Agency from Zeke Johnson. Howard became a member of Marion’s First Baptist Church and attended faithfully until his health deteriorated. Howard never served as deacon (although nominated many times) because he did not feel worthy ... Those that knew him, know that there could be no doubt in his worth or his Christianity. Howard retired from Byassee Oil Company in 1981, after 35 years of serving the public. Howard was a sports enthusiast, holding season tickets for MHS basketball until his health failed. He and Imogene were charter members of the Marion Cultural 8 Civic Center Foundation and patrons of MCCC for many years. He cherished the accomplishments of his family: exhibiting faith in James by investing in his son’s dream for Byassee Keyboard Company; never missing a ballgame, concert, musical, pageant, church or school event for his sister, grandson or granddaughters. He is survived by two sons and daughter-in-laws, James Henry Byassee and wife, Linda and Donald Eugene Byassee, all of Marion. Howard was the perfect grandfather to four grandchildren, Elizabeth Susan Byassee Shore and husband, Jeffrey Shore, Amanda Yolonde Byassee Gott and husband, Ashley Gott, all of Marion, Margaret Loraine Byassee Edmondson and husband, Shawn Edmondson of Lindale, Texas and grandson, Evan James Byassee, also of Marion. His six great-grandchildren will miss “Grandpa Howard.” They are James Benjamin Shore (9), Victoria Sylvania Shore (6), James Michael “Jamie” Gott (8), William Alexander “Alex” Gott (5), Jeremy Howard Gott (3) and Henry Joseph Edmondson (22 months). Howard also leaves devoted sister and brother-in-law, Yolonde Peterson and Guy “Pete” Peterson of Maria. Nephews remaining are Larry Lavender and family of Colorado, Kenny Lavender and family of St. Louis, David ‘Purp’ Lavender and family of Murphysboro, Bill and Sandra Calvert of Texas and Don Samuel and family of Carterville. Great nieces Cammy Duggins and family of San Domiano, Kara Beth Santi and family of Chicago and nephew, Kevin Cox of St. Louis also remain. Cousins remaining are, Billy Byassee and family of Cordova, Tenn. and Annette Mix and Sue Gifford of Bardwell, Ky. Howard leaves other extended family members and many friends. Howard was preceded in death by his parents; wife; sister and brother-in-law, Rosella and Lewis Taylor of Creal Springs; and niece, Barbara Jane (Taylor) Cox of Marion. Funeral services will be at 11 a.m. Saturday, Aug. 29, 2009, in Blue Funeral Home in Marion, with Dr. Bob Dickerson officiating. Interment will be next to his wife, Imogene, in Rose Hill Cemetery in Marion. Visitation will be from 6 to 8 p.m. Friday at the funeral home. Memorials may be made to First Baptist Church in Marion or the Marion Cultural and Civic Center Foundation. Military rites will be held at the cemetery by VFW Post 1301, American Legion Post 147 and the National Guard.