James W. Temple, RIP

James W. Temple, my father, died tonight of heart and lung issues.  He was 84.

In many ways, my dad was a simple man.  He was a husband, father and grandfather, small businessman, and a veteran. 

He did what he was supposed to do, when he was supposed to do it, and expected others to do the same.

He had a strong sense of right and wrong, and always rooted for the underdog.

In many ways he was a shy man, but between his smile, his piercing blue eyes, and his sense of humor, he could light up a room.

He served in the elite 10th Mountain Division in World War II.  The men of the 10th Mountain Division were light infantry ski troops that fought the Germans in the rugged conditions of the Apennine Mountains of Italy.

My father always said others had it rougher.  Historians say the 10th Mountain boys had it plenty rough. 

For his service, he was awarded the Bronze Star with Oak Leaf Cluster.

Because of a mild stroke in early 1993, Dad was unable to attend the inauguration in Jefferson City.  He took great pride in the fact that the first phone call Governor Mel Carnahan made from the Governor's desk after his swearing in ceremony was to Dad to say that he had been missed.

He is survived by Ruth Temple, his wife of 51 years.  He is also survived by 3 daughters, Debbie Mueller of St. Louis, Kathy Scott of Puxico, and Michelle Thomason, also of Puxico.  He has 8 grandchildren and 2 great grandchildren.

He died in Dexter Memorial Hospital, where he spent his last week surrounded by his wife and four children. 

He was cracking jokes until the medicine would no longer permit it.

Arrangements will be through Watkins and Sons Funeral Home in Puxico.