James Jim Lester Edmundson

James ""Jim"" Lester Edmundson, 80, of Poplar Bluff, died Tuesday, Sept. 18, 2012 at his residence.

Mr. Edmundson was born Oct. 23, 1931 in Campbell, Mo. He was a member of Twin Springs Baptist Church, where he formerly served as Trustee, Sunday School Teacher and Bible Teacher. Mr. Edmundson was a veteran of the U.S. Marine Corps, and served as a MP (Military Police) during the Korean Conflict. He worked for the Malden Airport as a firefighter; served as a police officer for the city of Poplar Bluff, and later as a deputy for the Butler County Sheriffs Department. He was the first City Engineer for Poplar Bluff before entering construction work as a self-employed contractor, and served six years as a County Commissioner for Butler County. Mr. Edmundson was also a rancher.

On April 29, 1955, he married Lois Pierce in Kennett, MO. She preceded him in death on March 6, 2008.

Survivors include two children: Janis Gates and husband, Charles of Poplar Bluff, and Diana Bounds and husband, Phillip of Washington, D.C.; two grandchildren: James J. Gates and wife, Jeanette of Brighton, Col. and Jeremy W. Gates and wife, Cynthia of Washington, D.C.; six great-grandchildren: Joseph Gates, Julia Gates, Sasha Gates, Dolci Gates, Gino Gates, and Julian Gates.

Preceding Mr. Edmundson in death were his parents, Robert and Iva Amelia (Cambron) Edmundson, and one sister Louise (Edmundson) Lovelace.

Visitation will be from 2 to 4 p.m. Sunday at Cotrell Funeral Chapel in Poplar Bluff. The funeral service will be at 1:30 p.m. Monday at Cotrell Funeral Chapel in Poplar Bluff with Rev. Donny Emmons officiating. A private family burial with full military honors will be held at a later time.