James E. "Jim" Bruton
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James E. "Jim" Bruton, 91, passed away peacefully at his home in Ozark on Dec. 3, 2020. Jim was born on Mar. 10, 1929, in Fairgrove, MO, to Oscar & Estella.
He is preceded in death by his wife of 61 years, Betty, his two sons Mike & Bruce, his parents & several siblings.
Jim is survived by his daughter Brenda (Dan) Terrill, two grandchildren Heather (Adrian) Garcia, & Chad Bruton, his great-grandson & name's sake Avery James Garcia, who affectionately knew him as "Bamper". Also, surviving is his sister Fern (Jim) Thorpe.
Jim was a kind & giving man who helped many people throughout his lifetime. In his younger years, he worked on local and rural dairy farms. In his early teens, Jim began employment with Tasty and Colonial Bakeries. In his late 20's, he earned his cosmetologist license & opened several "Mr. Jim's Hair Fashions" salons & wig shops in Springfield, Aurora & Fairgrove, MO, as well as Houston, TX. He also opened a cosmetology school in Springfield. At the same time, he had rental properties & began residential & commercial land development. Jim had a passion for his show horses, collecting vintage automobiles & attending auto auctions. He opened "Bruton Auto Sales" & operated it until 2015.
He loved his family, friends & playing Rummy. He always said he slept better when he won! Jim enjoyed traveling & socializing. He never met a stranger. The Galveston Coast was the place he favored so much that he had a second home there for several years. He resided in the house that he built in Ozark until his death. He will be deeply missed by his family and those who knew him well. He touched many lives throughout his lifetime. May he rest in eternal peace.
A private graveside service was held on Dec. 8, 2020, at Hazelwood Cemetery in Springfield, MO. His family would like to extend a special thanks to the staff of CoxHealth at Home Hospice for their exceptional care, support, and compassion during his final days. Thank you to the staff at Greenlawn North Funeral Home.