James Milfred Woolsey

James Milfred Woolsey, age 64, departed Monday, February 4, 2019, from his home in Arroll, MO.  He was born in Mountain View, MO, May 3, 1954 to Milfred Jayhue Woolsey and Donna Marie Farmer Woolsey.

He attended grade school in Arroll and high school in Summersville, graduating in 1972 and was a lifelong member of Arroll Community Church where he also served as a deacon, board member and occasional, but delightful Sunday school teacher.

James was blessed to be able to live his life in the place he held so dear, the hills and hollers of Arroll.  It was there he would find his lifelong love and bride, Pennie Jean Roark, a young woman of great value and integrity he then married on July 31, 1972.  As two halves making a whole, they contributed to the community around them, helping those in need, but never seeking recognition.

James was a person who others sought out, he was natural when it came to making you feel at ease and held a genuine sincerity when asking about your life.  He balanced his large personality with a generous heart and a humility of spirit. He believed a stranger was just a friend you hadn’t yet met and with his booming voice and contagious smile he amassed a great number from all walks of life and in many places while traveling, trading and trucking around the U.S.A.  A jack of all trades, God placed him where he needed him through the many seasons of life; he was always willing to reach out and capture the friendship of people that others had deemed broken and cast aside. He represented the best parts of a true Christian man raised in the rocky hills of the Ozarks – a rough exterior, a willing heart and a spine of steel running throughout.  He recognized the worth of the simple values of the past and held dear the old traditions always stressing the importance that they should not be forgotten. However, he did not live in the past because he possessed a trait that one cannot learn: whether business, fun or an intermingling of the two, he was focused and fearless when taking on a new venture. James would have made no claims of being an educated man, but the skills he learned as a young boy working alongside his father, Milfred, would be collected  and then passed on to his own sons in trading, logging, farming and the greatest of all, a steadfast love and an unquestionable loyalty to both his God, his family and his friends. Even the smallest of pebbles thrown into a lake can direct the course of the life around it, undoubtedly the immense impact of his life will be felt by the generations to come.

He is survived by his wife, Pennie Woolsey, his children: Calvin Woolsey and wife Charity of Arroll, Jason Woolsey and wife, Tricy of Arroll, James Jayhue (Jay) Woolsey of Arroll.  As well as his grandchildren: Wyatt Woolsey, Waylon Woolsey, Abigail Woolsey, Von Daniels, Sarah Woolsey, Josie-May Woolsey, Addison Woolsey, Jaycelynn Woolsey and Cason Woolsey. He is also survived by his mother, Donna Woolsey of Arroll and his brothers: Michael Woolsey (Bonnie) and Scott Woolsey (Deborah), both of Arroll, Doug Woolsey (Tina) of Mountain View and Steven Woolsey (Katrina) of Willow Springs as well as many nieces and nephews.

He was preceded in death by his father, Milfred Jayhue Woolsey.