James "Jim" Harrington

James “Jim” Edgar Harrington, 79, of Jamesport, MO, passed away Saturday, December 26, 2020 at Centerpoint Medical Center in Independence, MO.  Jim was born on a farm north of Jamesport on June 28, 1941, the oldest child of Marvin and Emily Alice (Critten) Harrington.  

Jim and his two siblings grew up on the family farm.  He graduated from Tri-County High School in 1959.  After graduation Jim went to visit his cousins in Nashville, Tennessee, and through them, met his first wife Charlcie Rose Treadway.  To that union three children were born. Jim served in the United States Navy from 1959 to 1961 and was stationed in San Diego, CA.   Jim attended Mechanic School and after working as a mechanic in Nashville for several years, he moved on to insurance sales.  All the while he returned to the farm to help with the seasonal planting and harvest.  He also had a love of motorcycles and was quite a successful racer. 

In 1978 Jim met Shirley Edson.  Together they built a life around their in-town businesses, gun smithing  and working the family farm.  Jim was a co-founder of Thompson Fork Muzzle Loaders, and was active in rendezvous and demonstrations of primitive life skills.  He loved the outdoors and enjoyed hunting, including family hunting trips to Colorado, trapping, and trout fishing.

Jim was preceded in death by his father, Marvin, and his brother, Troy.  He is survived by his wife of 38 years, Shirley (Edson) Harrington, his mother Emily Alice Harrington, his sister, 4 children, Libbi (Ralph) Henderson of Newbury Park, CA, Laura (Kevin) Novak of Gallatin, MO, Jamie (Pam) Harrington of Raytown, MO, and Hope (Trenton) Wiebold of Palmyra, MO, 10 grandchildren, 3 great-grandchildren, a niece, nephews, many cousins and a host of friends.

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions are suggested to the Jamesport First Responders in care of the funeral home. A Celebration of Life will be held at a later date. Arrangements entrusted to Stith Funeral Home, Jamesport. Online guestbook at www.stithfamilyfunerals .com

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