James Jewell Counts

DESLOGE — James Jewell Counts, age 82, of Park Hills, passed away June 28, 2011, at Parkland Health Center in Farmington, Mo.  He was born February 4, 1929, in Steelville, Mo.

He was a member of the Gumbo First Church of God and had served as a deacon for several years.  James was Grandpa to many neighborhood kids in Elvins and special mentor to Sam and Mike and Robert.

He is preceded by his parents Jewell Franklin and Fannie Matilida (Whitacre) Counts; brother, Alvin Counts.

James is survived by two brothers, Donald Gene Counts and wife Sue of Leadwood, Cleo Dale Counts and wife Barb of Park Hills; sister, Irma Lea (Mrs. Harold Arnold) of Washington.

Visitation is 5 p.m. to 9 p.m. Thursday, June 30, 2011, at C. Z. Boyer & Son Funeral Home in Desloge.  Service is 11 a.m. Friday, July 1, 2011, at C. Z. Boyer & Son Chapel with Rev. Edgar Green officiating.  Interment will follow at Herod Cemetery.

Memorials may be made to the Gumbo First Church of God.