Vernon Alfred James, 86, Freeman, Missouri, died Thursday, November 8, 2012 at his home. Funeral services will be held at 1:30 p.m. Monday, November 12 at the Atkinson Chapel in Harrisonville. Burial in Freeman Cemetery. Visitation 3:00-5:00 p.m. Sunday, November 11 at the chapel. Memorial contributions may be made to Harrisonville Christian School.

Vernon was born December 7, 1925 in Jefferson, Oklahoma, the son of Rex Alfred and Ella (Ricks) James. He graduated from Freeman High School in 1944. He was a WWII U. S. Navy veteran. He married Lois Eileen Gray on July 14, 1950 in Pleasant Hill, Missouri. He was a member of the First Baptist Church in Wirt, Oklahoma.

Vernon was a dispatcher for Amoco Pipeline for 43 years, retiring in 1989. He was a member of the Blue Ridge Gem and Mineral Club and was an OCAW Union representative

He was preceded in death by his parents, one sister, Betty Jane Wood and one grandson, Stephen Hatch. He is survived by his wife, Lois, of the home; one son, Gregg James and wife, Sherrill, Craig, Colorado; two daughters, Terre James Labus and husband, Dennis, Cleveland, Missouri and Denise Hatch and husband, Glen, Harrisonville, Missouri; 4 grandchildren, Whitney Lowe, Jessica James, Garrett James and Makayla Hatch and several nephews and nieces.