Jimmy D. Ransom

FARMINGTON - Jimmy D. Ransom of Farmington passed away on January 24, 2021 at Parkland Health Center at the age of 88. He was born on March 4, 1932 in Esther, Missouri to the late John P. and Ruby (Ball) Ransom. In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by his siblings, Elbert Ransom, Caree Ransom, and Larry Ransom. Jimmy is survived by his high school sweetheart, his loving wife of 69 years, Madonna (Thomas) Ransom; his daughters, Denise Ransom of Farmington, MO, Melodie Ransom of Peachtree Corners, GA, and Gina (Greg) Finch of Raymore, MO; two grandchildren, Aaron (Jamie) Davis and Austin Davis; four great grandchildren, twins, Ella Davis and Allee Davis, Hunter Jones and Haylee Jones; his siblings, Margaret Watts of Desloge, MO, Charlotte (Ray) Hall of Fairfield, CA, Phyllis Sherrill of Desloge, MO, Sue (Richard) Bess of Desloge, MO, and Mike (Lorene) Ransom of Cuba, MO and a host of numerous nieces, nephews and friends. Jimmy adored his wife, the love of his life, and loved his family dearly. He proudly served his country as a veteran of the United States Air Force. Jimmy retired from the Missouri Department of Transportation in 1992. He volunteered for 15 years for Meals on Wheels at the Parks Hills Senior Nutrition Center. He grew up in Esther and came from a hardworking, close-knit family with eight brothers and sisters. In high school, he met Madonna, they were soon sweethearts. They married in '51 and Jim joined the Air Force shortly afterwards. Madonna joined him in Spokane, WA, and soon they had their first girl, Denise. In 1953 they moved back home, and Jim built their first home in Leadington, a Sears & Roebuck Catalog Kit Home. When Melodie came along, the house became too small. Jim would take the family, after going to Esther Baptist Church, on Sunday afternoon drives through the countryside looking for just the right location to build their next home. In 1963, Gina, his third daughter was born. Jim built her a sweet, life-size playhouse, which today would be called, a Tiny House (well, almost)! An avid Cardinals baseball fan his entire life, Jim loved watching the games on TV and going to games with Madonna. In his younger years, he enjoyed playing baseball and horseshoes at both the Ransom and the Thomas family reunions and picnics. He also loved country music, but his favorite singer was Madonna, his wife. Jim was quite the craftsman and builder, and should have had his own HGTV series, "How to Recycle and Repurpose to Build Your Own Home," but he was way ahead of his time. The next home Jim built was on property he and Madonna bought on Hillsboro Road, "The Upper Forty." Since he worked for MoDOT, he bid on and tore down eminent domain homes slated to be demolished for new highways. He was a very hard worker. After working all day, he would come home and eat a quick dinner, and each evening and every weekend, go build their next home, reusing the floor joists, rafters, and quality building materials he had salvaged, to enable him to provide nicer homes for his family, and in fact he built two homes in the 1970s using this stategy. Madonna was his carpentry assistant. Jim loved his daughters and taught them a lot; how to play ball, how to ride a bicycle, use a hammer, how to garden, how to change the oil in a car, how to read a map, along with many other life skills. Most of all, he taught by demonstrating a hard work ethic, loyalty and integrity. He adored his grandsons Aaron and Austin, they were his pride and joy, as were his great-grandchildren. Jim enjoyed going to auctions with his partner, Madonna, and together they bought and sold antiques for many years. In 2014 they moved to the Butterfield Gardens Senior subdivision, where they found old friends, and made wonderful new friends. It broke all our hearts when husband/dad/papa, Jim passed away due to Covid pneumonia His wife, daughters and grandsons were by his side helping him to pass peacefully. He will be fondly remembered and dearly missed by all who knew and loved him. Due to the COVID pandemic, the visitation and funeral service will be private for the family at Cozean Memorial Chapel on Thursday, January 28, 2021 followed by a public graveside service where all friends are welcome to attend at 3:00pm at Hillview Memorial Gardens in Farmington with Deacon Mike Mabery of the Esther Baptist Church officiating. Masks are required for those in attendance and please adhere to social distancing guidelines. In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to Meals on Wheels, c/o Park Hills Senior Nutrition Center, 224 West Main, Park Hills, MO 63601.View the video tribute, the online extended obituary and please share your condolences at cozeanfuneralhome.com. Graveside Service Hillview Memorial Gardens Thursday, January 28, 2021 3:00 PM 5229 Westmeyer Road Farmington, MO 63640