James Booth

Delia-James C. "Jim" Booth, 77, passed away Saturday, January 28, 2017 at the Community Hospital in St. Marys. He was born May 19, 1939 at Emporia, the son of Russell and Elsie Marie Shelinbarger Booth. Jim was raised in Osage County south of Osage City on the Maris Des Cygens River. After graduating from Lebo High School he attended Kansas State and Emporia State Universities. Jim became a full time farmer in a partnership operation with his father and brother. He moved his family to Jackson County in 1970 due to the Federal Corp of Engineers purchase of ground for the Melvern Federal Reservoir. Jim along with his wife Jo and two sons operate J and J Farms west of Mayetta. He was a member of the Delia Presbyterian Church. Jim joined the Lebo Masonic Lodge in 1961 and transferred his membership to the Delia Lodge. He was a member of the Kansas Farm Bureau and served on many committees and held many offices. He was a 4-H community leader and had coached Baseball. He was currently serving on the Jackson County Rural Water Board No. 3 and the Kaw Valley Electric Election Board. He was preceded in death by his parents. On March 25, 1961 he was united in marriage to Jo Anne Whittington at the Osage City Presbyterian Church. She survives of the home. Other survivors include his four sons, Jeffery (Cherri) Booth, Delia, Joe (Tonia) Booth, Mayetta, Jacy (Susan) Booth, Parkville, MO. and J.R. (Molly) Booth, Clinton, MO; his brother, Milton (Shirley) Booth, Emporia; 11 grandchildren. Celebration of Life Services will be at 10:00 A.M. Thursday, February 2, 2017 at the Delia Presbyterian Church. Graveside services will be at 3:00 P.M. Thursday afternoon at the Arvonia Cemetery south of Osage City. Mr. Booth will lie in state and the family will receive friends from 5:30 until 7:30 Wednesday, February 1, 2017 with a short service at 7:30 P.M. at Piper Funeral Home in St. Marys. In lieu of flowers memorial contributions may be made to the Delia Presbyterian Church the Delia Masonic Lodge or the Arvonia Historic Preservation Society and sent in care of the funeral home. To read a full obituary or to leave an online condolence please go to www.piperfuneralhome.com.