James "Jake" Robert Jacobs

James was born to a farming family on May 18, 1936 in Yates Center, Kansas. As a child, the family moved to Oklahoma.

James knew he wanted to serve in the military before high school was even out, so he decided to join the Army. He was inducted into the service July 17, 1953 in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma where he boarded a bus and went to Camp Chaffee, Arkansas for basic training. He went to Fort Bragg, North Carolina where he was trained to be a cook and gunner. Once training was done he was sent to Korea. Jim took the USS General John Polk troop ship to Korea where they landed at Incheon. Jim was assigned to the Artillery 155 unit which was located 20 miles from the front line. "Close enough to get hurt, far enough away to feel a little safe." After the treaty was signed, his unit stayed for clean up. When they could squeeze it in, he was able to take liberty. He was able to go to Japan once and Seoul a few times. HIm was in Korea for 1 year, 3 months and 28 days. He brought a ship back to Seattle, Washington. He then went to Fort Jackson, South Carolina and Fort Sill, Oklahoma before being discharged on July 16, 1956. Jim went into the reserves where he served until November 28, 1960.

He was a mechanic for 30 years before changing careers. James became a security officer for Research Medical Center from 1981 to 2001. He worked as security for American Century Investments and Lee's Summit Medical Center. He served as a volunteer Police Officer for Garden City, Missouri. He was also a maintenance man at Garden City Senior Center. James was awarded Employee of the Year for 1987 and Employee of the Month in the same year for Research Medical Center. James was awarded the National Defense Service Medal and Good Conduct Medal. He was a member of the First Christian Church of Garden City, Missouri, the VFW and American Legion.

James was preceded in death by his parents, four siblings and two stepsons Floyd Pugh and Thomas Pugh. He is survived by his wife of 44 years, Lynne Jacobs, his two children James Brett Jacobs of Tulsa, OK and Lisa Mayfield of Bixby, OK, his two stepchildren Gregg Pugh (Cindy) of Holden, Missouri and Cricket Bailey (Steve) of Lee's Summit, MO, his 16 grandchildren, 36 great-grandchildren and 1 great-great-grandchild as well as his favorite girls Maxine & Lulu.

The family would like to thank VNA Hospice and the family & friends that helped to make his final days comfortable and possible for James to remain in his home.

A visitation for Jake will be held Thursday, August 1, 2024 from 9:30 AM to 10:30 AM at Mt. Moriah, Newcomer & Freeman Funeral Home, 10507 Holmes Road, Kansas City, MO 64131. A funeral service will follow at 10:30 AM. Burial will follow in Mount Moriah Cemetery South.

Contributions in Jake's memory may be made to the Alzheimer’s Association of Kansas City, 3846 West 75th St., Prairie Village, KS 66208 and/or KC Pet Project, 7077 Elmwood Avenue, Kansas City, MO 64132