Jimmie Drew Ice

Deeply rooted in the soil of Southeast Missouri and in the hearts of his family and friends, Jimmie Drew Ice, aged 91, of Poplar Bluff, departed on Friday, July 17, 2026.

Jimmie was born on October 23, 1934, in Campbell at his family’s farm. He married Virginia Maxine (Dicken) Ice on March 20, 1952, and was her loyal husband for 74 years.

Jimmie is preceded in death by his parents, Roy and Bertha (Smith) Ice; siblings, Bill Ice, Jesse Ice, Verda Ice, and Edith Jackson; children, Rusty Ice, Sally Ice, and Cathy Ice; and granddaughter, Stephanie Morris. Jimmie is survived by his wife, Maxine; siblings, Charles Ice, Robert Ice, Donna Richman, and Mary Pratt; children, Judy (Stephen) Million, Vicky (Kenny) Lamkin and Matthew (Nashay) Ice; grandchildren, Tim Million, Carey Neldon, Jamie Lamkin, Lauren Powell, Stacey Million, Kristy Van Matre, Joseph Battig, Michael Lamkin, Alicia Brumley, Jacqueline Brumley, Logan Million, Zachary Morris, and Megan Morris; 22 great-grandchildren; and seven great-great grandchildren.

Jimmie careered at a variety of places, including Bluff Ice and Meeks Lumber, but his ultimate position was as a land surveyor at S.H. Smith. Never a fan of sitting still, Jimmie liked to be on the move and outside. He loved using his agile, algebraically-adept mind and his strong hands to work out angles and stake land all over Butler County and beyond. He retired from surveying in 1996 and was thrilled to have more time for buying, selling, and tending his booth at the Sale Barn. He never saw an old lawn mower that couldn’t be fixed and “be just as good as a new one.” On Fridays, he always arrived before sunrise in his standard uniform — denim overalls and a ball cap — with fascinating wares and product descriptions. Whatever was needed, he could find it or had it to sell.

Jimmie will be remembered as a farm boy at heart, with an impeccable work ethic, and a sense of humor and humanity that made him a favorite. He adored John Wayne, Hank Williams, sweets, and time with his grandkids. His family treasures memories of his playful yodeling, delicious biscuits and gravy, and magnificent July 4th Township Line family parties. Tractor rides with Grandpa Ice were a sacred tradition, and one jumped down from that blue monster smelling like his cigar and feeling like the most special kid in the world. Anytime his familiar cigar scent floats by, we’ll look for our “onery,” tender-hearted bear of a man.

His family hopes you’ll come share your Jimmie stories with us. Visitation is from 6-8 pm on Tuesday, July 21, and the funeral service is at 11 am on Wednesday, July 22 at Cotrell Willow Ridge Funeral & Cremation Services in Poplar Bluff, MO with Pastor Josh Reasons officiating. Burial to follow at Memorial Gardens Cemetery.

In lieu of flowers, the family kindly requests memorial contributions be made to support pediatric developmental therapies at Britain Center, 7415 Grandview St., Merriam, KS 66204.

Cotrell Willow Ridge Funeral & Cremation services is honored to serve the family and friends of Jimmie Drew Ice. Online condolences can be made at www.cwrfcs.com