James R. Tolen, 87, Chillicothe, formerly of Jamesport, died Monday, Dec. 13, 2010, at the Morningside Center in Chillicothe. No schedule services are planned at this time. Arrangements are by McWilliams Funeral Home, Gallatin.
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James was born Feb. 16, 1923, to Roy and Madge (French) Tolen in Carlow. He attended school in Carlow and enlisted in the United States Navy in 1940. James was stationed aboard the USS Nevada in Pearl Harbor when it was attacked on Dec. 7, 1941.
He was devoted to his country and took great pride in serving six years. In September of this year, he participated in the Freedom Flight for Veterans to Washington, D.C. James felt honored to be a part of the festivities.
Upon returning from the Navy, James moved to Jamesport and opened a grocery store. In 1960, he moved to California where he continued to work in the grocery business. James returned to Missouri in 1976, residing in Lee=s Summit where he worked at Price Chopper as manager of the meat department.
He married Dolores Bowyer on Dec. 8, 1984, in Lee=s Summit where the couple made their home. James and Delores moved to Chillicothe in 1996. For the last nine years James and Delores enjoyed the winters in Venice, Fla.
James was a member of the Chillicothe Croquet Club and the Chillicothe First Baptist Church.
James was preceded in death by his parents and stepdaughter Teresa Whorton.
Survivors include his wife, Dolores Tolen of the home; one daughter, Linda Weede of Rossmoor, Calif; one son, John Tolen of Rossmoor, Calif.; one stepdaughter, Valerie Campbell of Kansas City; one brother, Jack Tolen, of Cameron, one sister, Jerry Windburn of Hoschton Ga.; two grandchildren; four stepgrandchildren; and six stepgreat-grandchildren.