James “Jim” Ray Souder, son of the late Ray and Joyce (Scherer) Souder, was born on November 25, 1951, in Delano, California, and departed this life on March 26, 2022, in Springfield, Missouri, following an extended illness. He was 70 years, 4 months, and 1 day of age.
Jim grew up in California in the San Joaquin Valley and graduated from Delano High School in 1970. He attended College of the Sequoias in Visalia, California, earning an Associate degree. He continued his education in Missouri, graduating with a Bachelor’s degree in History from Southwest Missouri State University.
Jim worked within the Family Support Division for the Department of Social Services from 1976 until his retirement in 2005.
Jim was united in marriage to Marian Bruszewski on April 28, 1973, in Pine Flat, California. They made their home in Mountain Grove, Missouri, in July 1973. Two daughters, Jennifer and Julie, were born into this union. Jim and Marian enjoyed spending time together trout fishing at Montauk State Park and were loving parents and grandparents.
Jim enjoyed genealogy and wrote several books on his family lineage. Jim enjoyed cinema, and especially enjoyed science fiction, classic films, and television. He was also an avid baseball fan who enjoyed collecting baseball cards and memorabilia. Jim was a kind and caring husband, father, brother, grandfather, and friend. He enjoyed visiting with his many friends and family.
Jim was preceded in death by his parents.
He is survived by his wife, Marian, two daughters, Jennifer Bullman and her husband, Jeff, of Allenspark, Colorado, and Julie Voyles and her husband, Mike, of Springfield, Missouri, one brother, Steve Souder and his wife, Gina, of Mountain Grove, Missouri, one sister, Jeanette Souder of Sacramento, California, three granddaughters, Lauren Voyles, Sarah Voyles, and Anna Voyles, and other relatives, neighbors, and friends who will miss him very much.
