James Pemberton, 86, of Smithville, MO passed away, March 22, 2026.
He was born on January 5, 1940 to Charles and Flora (Veatch) Pemberton in DeWitt, MO. He attended school in Brunswick, MO where he made lifelong friends and graduated in 1957. Jim enjoyed his early years with his grandparents being very active in his life. He also dedicated many hours to the family farm in his teenage years. Jim served his country in the U.S. Marine Corps. He was medically discharged in 1958. He returned to farming and in 1959 he began working for Ford Motor Company and oversaw their inventory.
In March of 1961 he was united in marriage to Carol Rogge. They were blessed with two sons, Steven and John.
Jim was very dedicated to trucking companies over the years: Dealer’s, Associated, and Allied. He enjoyed his connection with Ford Motor Company, being able to have special orders for colors, features, and discounts. In addition to his full-time job with the trucking company, he was also partners with his good friend, Steve Ferguson, operating Steve’s Tow. Jim retired in 1999 after 40 years of dedicated service and many awards. After his retirement, Jim worked for Porter’s ACE Hardware in Kearney and later in Smithville. Over the next twenty years off and on, he held various positions: building barns, potting sheds, and dog houses and being in charge of rental equipment. Jim went to school to be a certified Stihl mechanic at the silver level repairing many kinds of Stihl saws. Jim could fix anything. He enjoyed his longtime friendship with Mac Porter.
In 1999 Jim and Carol purchased 10 acres east of Smithville near Smithville Lake. They built their retirement home and enjoyed many hours of landscaping, building flower and vegetable gardens, as well as lots of hunting and fishing. They enjoyed traveling to Arkansas, Arizona, Texas, Colorado, Nevada, Oregon and Florida. They could often be found on long winding remote roads in search of special rocks for Carol’s rock garden.
He was preceded in death by his parents, and his wife, Carol in 2016.
Jim is survived by his sons, Steve Pemberton and John Pemberton; several nieces and nephews, other relatives and many friends.
In lieu of flowers, donations may be made the American Cancer Society or Harbor Hospice.
Funeral Service: 10:30 a.m. Friday, March 27th at King of Kings Lutheran Church in Kansas City, MO with visitation one hour prior to the service. Graveside Service: 3:00 p.m. Friday, March 27th at Evergreen Cemetery, DeWitt, MO.
