James W. Bynum

Jim was born October 25, 1938 to Cres and Jessie (Therrell) Bynum in Hattiesburg, MS. He went to school at Rawls Springs. As a teenager, he ran away from home, hitchhiking across America a couple of times until he joined the Army. He got his GED in the Army when he was 17.

Jim married Joanne Rodgers and the couple had a son, James Bynum Jr. The union was short-lived as Jim was overseas in the Army. During a holiday leave in Amsterdam, Holland, he and his brother Jerry met a couple of teachers from the states. Jim asked them if they wanted to take a ride in his new Triumph that he had recently purchased and go get something to eat. They ended up in a Chinese restaurant that Jim recommended. And as they say, the rest is History. Jim said that was the best vacation he ever had.

Jim and Gail (Minter) were married on November 14, 1964, in front of Gail’s favorite place, her family’s home in front of the fireplace. The couple had two daughters Susan and Pamela. After serving 11 years as a head welder in an Army infantry company working aboard a small helicopter repair ship in Vietnam, Jim left the Army. He had a passion for flying, so he took classes and became a pilot. Jim and his wife loved to travel and see the world.

In his free time, he also enjoyed reading. He knew the Bible very well and enjoyed Ancient history. He also like taking pictures, and took classes to become a better photographer. He was proud of his environmental work. He wrote a paper for the New Mexico Environmental Conference that was used to stop a lot of toxic sludge dumping across the country. Jim was also the “family handyman” and had a knack to fix about anything broken by the family he loved so dearly. He lived his life to the fullest.

Jim was preceded in death by his parents, his brother Jack Bynum, and his sister Betty Sue.

He is survived by his wife of 55 years, his son James (Jennifer) Bynum of Las Vegas, NV, his two daughters; Susan Williams of Platte City, MO and Pamela Bynum-Christmas (John Christmas) of Gladstone, MO and Luis Miguel (Holly) Martinez. His brothers; John Bynum of Tucson, AZ, Jerry (Ginger) Bynum of Mobile, AL, and sister Janice (Joe) Carter of Seminary, MS. He is also survived by five grandchildren; Tyler and Faith Bynum, Tessa and Violet Williams, and Misha Martinez, and many nieces, nephews, and extended family.

Visitation is scheduled for Tuesday, December 3, 2019 from 6:00 to 8:00 PM with the Funeral on December 4, 2019 at 10:00 AM at the Church Archer Paisley Funeral Home, 119 E. Franklin St., Liberty, MO. Burial will be in the Fairview / New Hope Cemetery in Liberty, MO. In lieu of flowers, the family requests that donations be sent to the American Legion, Post 129.