James (Jim) Edgar Cawley, 96, of Grain Valley, Missouri, peacefully passed on to be with the Lord on July 13, 2026, at the home of his daughter and son-in-law where he had been residing while on hospice care.
Jim was born on December 11, 1929 to Earnest and Martha Jewel Cawley in DeKalb, Missouri. He was the second oldest child and oldest son of the family, which would eventually grow to seven siblings.
Jim’s family came in contact with the Restored Gospel of Jesus Christ when he was a boy and he was baptized on November 1, 1942.
Jim’s father was a salesman and the family moved many times during his school years, which caused some disruption of his education. He graduated from St. Joseph High School in June 1950.
The following year, Jim joined the army to fight in the Korean War. He spent time in Korea in combat until wounded in friendly fire. After a time of healing in a hospital in Japan, Jim was transferred to Washington DC where he worked as a clerk at a military listening post until he was honorably discharged.
In September 1952, Jim married Esther Hoffman. After Jim’s discharge, they moved to Lamoni, Iowa, to attend Graceland University, where Jim sang in the chapel choir and obtained his associates degree in 1955.
The couple moved to Independence, Missouri, and then to a small farm near Grain Valley, Missouri. Their three children were Martha Jean, Debra Louise, and Anita Marie. In 1971, after many years of trials and a tragedy in the family, Jim and Esther’s marriage ended.
A number of years later while attending a singles’ retreat at Graceland University, Jim met Marian Snider, who became the love of his life. Jim and Marian were married in 1979.
Jim’s faith in Jesus Christ was the foundation of his life. He was ordained a deacon in the Restored Church of Jesus Christ as a young man. He served diligently in the office of deacon for many years, often serving as head deacon and frequently instructing younger men in their roles of service in this office. In 1981, Jim was ordained to the office of elder. He continued his faithful service to the Lord, including many years as an associate pastor at the Oak Grove congregation.
Jim was beloved by the young people of the Oak Grove congregation who knew him as the “gum man” or the “candy man.” Jim spent over 25 years handing out gum and Skittles after Sunday morning church services to any child (and some adults) who asked. He said he wanted church to be a “sweet” experience for the young people.
Jim worked for thirty-six years for Southwestern Bell, which later became AT&T, before retiring in 1991. He began as an outside lineman and then moved inside to a job trouble-shooting electronic telephone equipment.
Jim was known for his quiet way of helping those around him. He was often found helping a neighbor in need. He loved to mow and often spent time mowing yards and pastures for others, fixing mowers, and repairing bicycles he bought second-hand to give to his grandchildren and other children. Jim stayed active until the last few months of his life, and even at the age of ninety-five, he spent time mowing his yard with his zero-turn mower.
Jim was a man of great faith who quietly lived out Christ’s commandments to love God and to love your neighbor. He will be deeply missed by his family and the many people who loved him.
Jim is survived by his sister, Barbara Holtzclaw, his daughter, Debra L. Norman (Don), and step-children Marilyn Moore (Mike), Ron Snider (Penny), and Melody McBride (Dustin). He is also survived by grandchildren Tim Cawley, Michelle Adams, Aaron Norman (Sarah), Elizabeth Martinko, and Jared Norman (Megan) and step-grandchildren Ryan Baker (Tiffany), Tiffany Dawn Baker, Jamie Snider, Tessa McKinzie (James) and Jessica Casey, as well as many great-grandchildren.
Jim was preceded in death by his wife, Marian Cawley, his parents, Earnest and Martha Jewel Cawley, his siblings, Carol Adams, Ben Cawley, Harold Cawley, Roy Cawley, and Richard Cawley, and his daughters, Martha Matteson and Anita Marie Cawley, as well as step-granddaughter, Rachel Leeper.
In keeping with his wishes, Jim was cremated. His ashes will be buried in Stewartsville, Missouri, next to his beloved wife, Marian. A memorial service will be held August 1, 2026, at the Church of Jesus Christ, Oak Grove Restoration Branch, 1203 North Broadway, Oak Grove, Missouri. Visitation will be from 2:30 to 4:30 p.m. with the service following at 4:30 p.m.
Obituary submitted by the family.
Arrangements by Royer Funeral Home in Oak Grove, Missouri