James Arlen Ringer, 88, a lifelong resident of St. Joseph, passed away on Sunday, April 7, 2024, peacefully at his home.
He was born on March 6, 1936, in St. Joseph, Missouri to parents Arthur Edward Ringer and Grace Irene (Kemp) Ringer. He graduated from Lafayette High School in 1954.
On June 10, 1960, he married Ann Clay Strop, and they had two sons: James Arlen Ringer Jr. and his wife, Denise, of Dallas, Texas and Charles Arthur Ringer of St. Joseph. Other survivors include his grandsons, James Arlen Ringer III, Holden Minor Ringer, and Benjamin Reilly Ringer, all of Dallas, Texas, and niece, Patti Ringer Trevino, of Austin, Texas.
He was preceded in death by his brother, William Arthur Ringer and his wife Jean Irwin Ringer of Austin, Texas; nephews, Charles (Chuck) Ringer, Matt Trevino of Liberty Hill, Texas, David Ringer of Austin, Texas, and Ted Ringer of Fort Walton Beach, Florida, and his parents.
James was a 1958 graduate of the University of Missouri School of Engineering in Columbia. He was a registered Professional Engineer with the state of Missouri, and he was associated with Industrial Heating and Plumbing Co. (now IHP Industrial) for 27 years as the vice president.
He was a past president of the Missouri State Plumbing Heating and Cooling Association and held a St. Joseph Masters Pluming License since 1960 while serving on the St. Joseph Plumbing Licensing Board.
James was an elder of the First Presbyterian Church. He served at the Open-Door Food Kitchen and with the Meals on Wheels program, and also served on the YMCA Board and the YMCA Camp Committee.
He formerly served as Construction Division Chairman for the United Way and the Allied Arts Drives. James had also assisted on several Habitat for Humanity projects.
James was a member of the Charity Zeredatha #189 Lodge; St. Joseph York Rite; Moila Temple and former member of the Benton Club and the St. Joseph Country Club.
Farewell Services and Public Livestream 10:30 A.M. Monday, First Presbyterian Church. Interment Memorial Park Cemetery. The family will gather with friends from 4:00 to 6:00 P.M. Sunday, Meierhoffer Funeral Home & Crematory. Memorial contributions can be made to the First Presbyterian Church, Noyes Home or Albrecht-Kemper Museum of Art. Online guest book and obituary at www.meierhoffer.com.
