Rev. James Lee Claycomb

He was born in San Jose, California on July 31st, 1958 to Billy Dean and Blanche (Owen) Claycomb.

Rev. James Claycomb is preceded in death by both his father and mother, his mother-in-law, Barbara Arnold, a son, Nathan Claycomb and a niece Karissa Snavely.

He is survived by his wife of 40 years Tamara (Arnold) Claycomb of Belleville, Illinois, daughter Carrie and Aaron Kaufman of Swansea, Illinois and daughter Caitlin and Steve Wightman of O’Fallon, Missouri. Grandchildren Lillie Kaufman and Jenna Kaufman of Swansea, Il. Grandchildren Nicholas, Laura, Elizabeth, Lydia, Emma and Hannah Wightman of O’Fallon, Mo. A sister Annette and Mark Snavely of Richmond Hills, Georgia and a brother Philip and Barbara Claycomb of Richardson, TX. A father-in-law James Arnold of Creal Springs, Il. A brother-in-law Tim and Roxann Arnold of Creal Springs, Il and many nieces and nephews and beloved friends.

Rev. Claycomb graduated from Memorial High School of Joplin, Missouri in 1976 and went on to Ozark Bible College in Joplin, Mo graduating with a Bachelor of Theology. He attended seminary at Cincinnati Bible Seminary, graduating with a Masters of Divinity. He attended Lincoln Christian Seminary for a Doctorate in Preaching. He completed all his classes; only needing to complete his thesis to graduate. Rev. Claycomb was ordained into the Christian Church and Churches of Christ in 1983. He held church ministries in Adair, Ok, Greenville, Oh, Galion Oh, Chester, Il, and Higdon, Mo. He was an adjunct Professor of Systematic Theology at St. Louis Christian College from 2008-2018. Rev. Claycomb was ordained into the Illiana Presbytery of the Presbyterian Church of America in 2020. He served Providence Presbyterian Church of Troy, Il as Interim Pastor from 2020 until his death. He also served as a hospital Chaplain from 1995-1999, a Hospice Chaplain from 1999-2004 and an Illinois Department of Corrections State employed Chaplain at Menard Correctional Facility from 2004-2020.

Reverend Claycomb was a lover of books. He loved the Puritan writers! He was also a Tolkien fan and a C.S. Lewis fan. He loved to read Narnia to his grandchildren. He and his wife loved to take long drives with no known destination but just to see where they ended up! Camping trips to Montauk State Park every summer were always a highlight. He was a chess enthusiast! His favorite places to visit were the North Shore of Minnesota and the mountains. His last trip with his family was to Colorado and Rocky Mountain National Park. A favorite evening would be around a campfire with friends and family. He loved his grandchildren and cherished being a Papa! But Jim’s most cherished times were ministering and shepherding people. He loved people and cared deeply for them! Their salvation and sanctification were the most important things to him! The Gospel of Jesus Christ and obedience to Jesus was the foundation of his life.

Visitation will be Friday, September 16th, 2022 from 4:00 pm to 8:00 pm at Valhalla Gaerdner Holten Funeral Home, Belleville, Illinois.

Funeral will be held Saturday, September 17th, 2022 at 12:00 pm at Valhalla Gaerdner Holten Funeral Home in Belleville, Illinois with an additional visitation one hour prior to service at 11:00 am.

Burial will follow in Valhalla Gardens of Memory Cemetery, Belleville, Illinois.

Memorials may be made to Providence Presbyterian Church of Troy, Illinois building fund. You can give online at https://Providence Presbyterian.church center.-com/.giving

Or mailed to 409 Edwardsville Rd Suite A

Troy, IL 62294.

Fond memories and expressions of sympathy may be shared at www.ValhallaGardensandFuneralHome.com for the Claycomb family.