James Roland(J.R.) Thorpe

James Roland (J.R.) Thorpe, 83, of Jefferson City, Missouri, passed away Saturday, June 13, 2020, at Adams Place Residential Care Facility. He was born March 2, 1937, in Huntsville, Missouri to parents, Perry and Sally (Smith) Thorpe. He graduated from Lincoln High School in Moberly, Missouri. J.R. proudly served in the United States Army from 1960 until his honorable discharge in 1966, during the Vietnam War. During his service, he earned medals for marksmanship and conduct. After his military service, he was employed by the Westran Public School system for several years. He then began his employment with Missouri Power and Light, most recently known as Ameren Missouri in Moberly, Missouri; and held various positions. J.R. had been a lifelong member of Lovell's Chapel of AME Church in Huntsville, Missouri. In 1991, J.R. transferred to the Ameren Customer Service Center (Capital District) in Jefferson City, Missouri; and retired in 1997. In that same year, J.R. would marry Shirley G. (Childs) Thorpe, his beloved wife, on September 30, 1991. After relocating to Jefferson City, J.R. served as an Elder at Second Christian Church-Disciples of Christ Church. And in the most recent years, J.R. and Shirley have been members of Community Christian Church of Jefferson City, Missouri. J.R. loved God, his family, friends, working with his hands and people in general. He never met a stranger and would talk to anyone, anywhere and anytime. J.R. also loved and revered his Kansas City Chiefs, who finally fulfilled his request of winning one more Super Bowl before he passed from this Earth. He is survived by his wife, Shirley G. (Childs) Thorpe of Jefferson City, Missouri; one son, Jay Rolando Thorpe and his wife Cathy Ann, of Bloomington, Illinois; one granddaughter, Latisha Watson of Columbia, Missouri; two grandsons, Jackson and Cade Thorpe of Bloomington, Illinois; brother and sister-in-law, Roderick and Ruby Stewart of Jefferson City, Missouri; sister-in-law, Birdie Thorpe of Las Vegas, Nevada; and numerous beloved nieces, nephews and friends. He was preceded in death by his parents; one brother, Richard Thorpe; his sisters, Nora (Thorpe) Davis and Anna Tharp; brother-in-law, Tony Davis Sr.; first wife, Dorothea Thorpe; and his second, Mamie (Evans) Thorpe. Friends will be received from 11:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. Saturday, June, 20, 2020, at Houser-Millard Funeral Directors with a celebration of life at 1:00 p.m. Inurnment will follow at Community Christian Church Columbarium, 409 Ellis Boulevard, Jefferson City, Missouri. Expressions of sympathy may be made to the Community Christian Church Building Fund or the Harry S. Truman Memorial Veterans' Hospital. Arrangements are under the direction of HOUSER-MILLARD Funeral Directors, 2613 West Main Street, Jefferson City, Missouri 65109 (573) 636-3838. Condolences may be left online for the family at www.millardfamilychapels.com.