Earl W. "Bud" James

MURPHYSBORO – Earl W. “Bud” James, 77, of Murphysboro, passed away on Wednesday, October 26, 2016 at Memorial Hospital of Carbondale with his family by his side.



Bud was born on March 27, 1939 to Earl W. and Pearl (Altschuh) James in St. Louis, MO. He married Martha Kay Davis on October 12, 1957 at Cornith, MS and she survives.



Other survivors include son and daughter-in-law, John and Cyndi James of DuQuoin; daughters, Tricia Bersett (Bryan Kuchar) of Lake St. Louis, MO and Angie James (Keith Parks) of Carbondale; brother and sister-in-law, David and Kathy James of St. Louis, MO; five grandchildren, Dustin Hicks and wife Lindsay of Dardenne Prairie, MO, Brandon Bersett of St. Louis, MO, Jennifer Mantia of Belleville, Ashley Tegel of Carterville, and Destiny Fleenor of DuQuoin; five great grandchildren, Chloe, Sophia, Elijah, and Abram Tegel of Carterville and Gabriella Mantia of Belleville; sister-in-law, Margaret and husband Bill Kirk of Chandler, NC; two brothers-in-law, Robert Davis of Florida and Fred and wife Karen Davis of Maryville, TN; cousin, Carol (Les) Reese of St. Louis; several nieces and nephews; great nieces and nephews; and second cousins.



He was preceded in death by his parents; son-in-law, Mike Bersett; mother-in-law, Martha Davis; and two sisters-in-law, Susann Davis and Charlene Davis.



Bud was the founder, owner and operator of Bud James Construction Company for over 50 years. He was an active member of the Ridge Church of Carbondale. He was also a member of the National Rifle Association, World Wildlife Association and Arbor Day Society. Bud loved to spend time outdoors and especially liked to hunt and fish. He was a former Royal Ambassadors leader at Walnut Street Baptist Church for many years. He also enjoyed spending time with his family and following the St. Louis Cardinal baseball team and SIU Saluki basketball.



Funeral services for Bud will be held at 11:00 am on Monday, October 31, 2016 at Meredith Funeral Home in Carbondale with Reverend Wes Henson officiating. Burial will follow in Pleasant Grove Memorial Park in Murphysboro. Visitation will be from 5:00 – 8:00 pm on Sunday, October 30 at the funeral home.



Memorials are the preferred form of remembrance and may be made to the Ridge Church and will be accepted at the funeral home.