Gregory L. James, 68, of Imperial died May 31, 2019, at Mercy Hospital South in south St. Louis County. Mr. James was a 1968 graduate of South Shelby High School and later graduated from Northeast Missouri State Teachers College (now Truman State University) in Kirksville. In 1973, he joined the Air Force. He worked for McDonnell Douglas for 15 years, and later operated a carpet cleaning business and drove a school bus. He was a member of the Jefferson Heights Baptist Church in Imperial. He lived in the St. Louis area over the last 40 years. He had many hobbies, including fishing, walking on park trails and completing crossword puzzles. He also enjoyed motorcycling, model airplanes and attending air shows.
Born Sept. 6, 1950, he was the son of the late Arthur S. and Virginia Arlene (Heitmeyer) James.
He is survived by two brothers: Art Wayne (Kristen) James of Hemet, Calif., and Curtis Fredrick (Robbie) James of Shelbina; five nieces and nephews: Heather, Jocelyn, Jason, Michael and Suzanne; a great-niece: Mallory; and a great-nephew: Levi.
Visitation will be from 9-11 a.m. followed by funeral services at 1 p.m. Saturday, June 8, at Greening-Eagan-Hayes Funeral Home, 401 S. Center St., in Shelbina. Burial will be at Walnut Grove Cemetery in Paris, Mo. Memorials may be made to American Red Cross or Jefferson Heights Baptist Church.