FAYETTEVILLE — James Allen Dayringer

passed away at his home in Fayetteville, Ark., on Aug. 6, 2020. Jim was born at home in Carthage, Mo., on Oct. 4, 1935, to Joe and Sarah Dayringer. Attending his birth were his grandmothers, Clara Ruppert and Myrtle Dayringer, as well as Dr. Wood, the local physician who also delivered Jim’s future wife, Shirley, and their first child, Sara.

Jim was the second of five children born over the course of 17 years. They have remained extremely close their entire lives and enjoyed weekly Zoom chats during this covid-19 season.

Jim was a graduate of Carthage High School. With the help of his uncle, Duke Ruppert, he completed one year of college in Independence, Kan., before joining the Army for two years. Stationed in Fort Bragg, Jim joined the 82nd Airborne Division and trained as a paratrooper because it provided an additional $50 per month. He then attended the University of Missouri on the G.I. bill, graduating in 1960 with a degree in Industrial Engineering. Jim remained a lifelong fan of Mizzou sports.

Jim married Shirley Hicks on May 25, 1954. They lived in several different cities during the early years of their marriage before coming home to the Joplin/Carthage area in 1964. Jim was employed as a sales engineer at Cutler-Hammer and later worked for Empire District Electric Company. Then in 1976, a providential opportunity arose to partner with a friend and purchase A.M.O. Electrical Supply in Rogers, Ark.

Over the years, Jim was active with the Joplin Jaycees and the Rogers Rotary Club and was one of the first members of Pinnacle Country Club. Jim had been part of many local United Methodist churches, the most recent being Central UMC in Fayetteville.

Jim was a hard worker, having held various jobs in his childhood and teen years. He picked strawberries at a very early age, sold newspapers, delivered milk, and later worked as a soda jerk at College Pharmacy in Carthage. Later, after three decades in the electrical supply business, he retired in 1990 and enjoyed many years of golf and travel. Jim was quietly generous and loved helping family members achieve their dreams. This practice began as a teen when he bought his younger brother his first bicycle.

In recent weeks, Jim often said, “I’ve had a good life.” He appreciated growing up in a small town where people valued hard work, looked out for one another, and loaned money based on good character and a handshake.

Jim is survived by his wife, Shirley; brothers, Dr. Richard Dayringer (Janet) and Joe “Pistol” Dayringer (Paula); sisters, Judy Francisco (Doc) and Jane Parsons (Larry); children, Sara McKinney (Jim), Susan Williams (Paul), and Aaron Dayringer (Kerstin); grandchildren, Mance Buttram, Jill Meek (Craig), David Williams (Kristen), Sophia Dayringer, Alex Dayringer and Lukas Dayringer; as well as several cousins; and many nieces and nephews.

A funeral service officiated by Dr. Richard Dayringer will be held 1 p.m., Monday, Aug. 10, 2020, at Nelson-Berna Funeral Home. Burial will follow at Park Cemetery in Carthage, Mo., 11 a.m. Tuesday.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to Walker Hospice at 325 Longview St., Fayetteville, Ark., 72703.

The family is grateful for the care provided by his nurse, Ashley, which was marked by tremendous care and kindness.

To leave an online condolence, please visit www.nelson berna.com.