Oliver Henry James

Oliver Henry James, 86, of Goreville passed away surrounded by his family Thursday, December 5, 2024, at SIH Hospital in Herrin, Illinois.

Oliver was born January 3, 1938, in Zalma, Missouri to the late Lawerence and Iva Mae James. His family later moved to Tunnel Hill, Illinois where they owned the small grocery store and resided upstairs. Oliver was one of eleven siblings. Oliver was a graduate of Vienna, Illinois High school. He was raised with a Christian upbringing in which carried out throughout his life. Oliver and his siblings thoroughly enjoyed playing and singing songs of praise of our Lord and Savior together.

He is survived by two sons; Allen (Angela) James of Goreville, Illinois, Chris (Debra) James of Belknap, Illinois, one daughter; Denise (Jerry) Thompson of Buncombe, Illinois, four grandchildren; Jeremy (Heather) James of Goreville, Illinois, Cassie (Edward) Jones of Goreville, Illinois, Jason (Lisa) Kraft of Charlotte, North Carolina, Garrett Garnder of Ohio, 11 great children and four step grandchildren, brother Harold (Jeanette) James of Marble Hill, Missouri, and two sisters Patty Choate VanMatre of Effingham, Illinois, and Charlotte “Jody”(Hal) Stranger of Santa Cruz, California, along with many nieces, nephews, and cousins.

Oliver was preceded in death by his parents Lawernce and Iva Mae James; one child(daughter); Sandra Gardner. Three brothers; Charles, Donald, and William James. Four sisters; Mary Rendleman-West, Martha Becker, Shirley Brzowski, and Beverley McWilson. 

Oliver grew to have a family of his own which included two sons and two daughters. He raised his sons in Goreville, Illinois where he lived the majority of his life. He had different careers in his lifetime. His journey began in Tucson, Arizona working for a printing company. He then went on to Veach Oil, family logging business, which led to driving a semi-truck for Pepsi, Southern Illinois Asphalt and Stone, and lastly, he went to work at Bombardia boat factory in which he retired from. Oliver was never one to fully retire though, sitting around wasn’t much of his favorite past time. Unless it was for a St. Louis Cardinals baseball game. He enjoyed repairing small engines. He mostly repaired lawn mowers and weed eaters for resale. He drove the Goreville school bus for many years after retirement for the ball games.

Oliver had many hobbies and interests. He was always ready for his T-time on the golf course. He was an avid bowler in local leagues where he gained a second family of friends. In his younger days and a few decades of his adult days, he enjoyed playing softball. He also loved playing card games with the guys at his house. You knew if you were headed to Hank’s house, you better have your money ready. He loved the sound of fast cars but not as much as how fast they went. He loved gardening, which he gave most of his treasures away. His favorite hobby was spending time with siblings, children, grandchildren, and great grandchildren children.

He went by more than Oliver in his lifetime. He primarily went by Henry, his middle name. His children called him dad. To his grandchildren and great grandchildren, he was papa. His friends called him Hank. But no matter what you knew him as; you knew that he never knew a stranger. You knew that if he was around, you had a friend around. If you knew Oliver, you knew love and laughter. You knew he could always make you smile with a good joke. His astounding love for life bled onto those who were blessed to have known him. His contagious laugh, infectious smile, admirable love for family, and his presence here on earth will be deeply and greatly missed.

Funeral arrangements have been entrusted to Blue Funeral Home under the direction of Binkley-Ross. Visitation will be held on Monday, December 9, 2024, from 11-1 PM at Busby Chapel in Goreville. Funeral services will begin at 1 PM. Interment will follow in Busby Cemetery. In lieu of customary remembrances the family requests with gratitude that memorial donations be directed to the Goreville Athletic Department. Visit www.bluefuneralhome.com to leave your condolences online.