James Thomas “Tom” Lovelace Sr., 88, of Festus died Oct. 31, 2026, at his home. Upon graduating from Festus High School in 1956, Mr. Lovelace later graduated with honors from the University of Missouri in Rolla, earning a BS in civil engineering. He retired after 38 years from the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, St. Louis District, as chief of the Hydrologic and Hydraulics Branch. He coauthored numerous technical papers in professional engineering journals throughout the world. He belonged to the National Society of Engineers, Missouri Society of Professional Engineers and the American Society of Engineers. During his time in civil service and into retirement, he served a total of 43 years on numerous local commissions and boards, including the Twin City Sewage Commission, the Twin City Levee Commission and the City of Festus Planning and Zoning and Board of Adjustments. He was an avid Missouri Tiger fan, followed local sports and enjoyed big band music and time with family. Born March 1, 1938, in Festus, he was the son of the late Nettie Minerva (Buckner) and Clayton Thomas Lovelace.
He is survived by his wife of 68 years: Rita R. (Drury) Lovelace; two daughters: Mary Lovelace of Festus and Jeanne Klos of Festus; a son: James T. (Lisa) Lovelace Jr. of Festus; a brother: Clayton “Jack” (Mary) Lovelace of Ft. Collins, Colo.; five grandchildren: James “JT” (Olivia) Lovelace III of Festus, Mitchell Lovelace of Festus, Hannah (John) Winingar of Festus, Cameron Klos of Festus and Anthony (Sarah) Klos of Arnold; and four great-grandchildren: Luka Lovelace, Ava Lovelace, Franklin Winingar and Vincent Winingar.
He was preceded in death by an infant son: James Michael Lovelace; and a brother: Ronald “Jerry” Lovelace.
A memorial gathering is scheduled from noon to 2 p.m. Saturday, Nov. 7, at Vinyard Funeral Home, 616 W. Main St., in Festus. Interment will be held at a later date in Rose Lawn Memorial Gardens in Crystal City. Memorials may be made to the American Diabetes Association or the Humane Society of Missouri. Arrangements are under the direction of Vinyard Funeral Home.