James Edward Toliver, Sr.

James Edward Toliver, Sr., 70, passed away peacefully on Tuesday, Oct. 19, 2021, at Veteran’s Hospital in Kansas City. James was born on Oct. 14, 1951, to David Elton and Virginia (Gassett) Toliver in Nevada. Elton and Virginia made their home in El Dorado Springs with their five children; Wayne, Sharon, Ronald (Ronnie), Ross and James (Jim).

Jim, or Jimmy as his friends called him, was an avid baseball player growing up. He played traveling ball throughout his childhood and was quite good. His love of the game continued throughout his adult life as his children; Tracy, Jamie and Jenny, recall sitting at many weekend softball tournaments in Arcola and Jericho Springs, just to name a few.

While in school, Jimmy was an exceptional typist. He had a knack for typing very quickly; something that his teacher, Mrs. Sue Sadler, would remind his daughter, Tracy, of often when she was in school. This particular skill set would serve him well in the next couple of years while serving in the U.S. Army. Jimmy joined the U.S. Army serving from 1969 – 1971. He served in Vietnam from 1970-1971, and was nominated for a Purple Heart during this time. When the army figured out how fast he could type he was assigned to typing letters home to families of fallen soldiers. Jimmy was a proud Vietnam and Army veteran and took great pride in the time he served his country. If you saw him around town you were sure to see him in his Vietnam Veterans hat.

Jimmy was a member of the Fraternal Order of the Eagles #4279 in El Dorado Springs for many years holding several offices. He was proud of the work the Eagles did to help those in our community and made many lifelong friends along the way.

Jimmy was preceded in death by his parents, Elton and Virginia; brothers, Ross and Ronnie; sister-in-law, Norma Toliver; and grandson, Tanner David Barger. Jim was shaken with grief when Tanner passed away and there is no doubt those two are causing all kinds of chaos and fishing together every moment.

Jim is survived by his daughter, Dr. Tracy Barger, and her husband, David; son, James (Jamie) Toliver, Jr.; and daughter, Jenny Cheek, and husband, James – all of El Dorado Springs; grandchildren, Trey Barger, and wife, Elizabeth, Smithville; Jessi Toliver (Drew), Muncie, IN, Abegail Cheek (Chris), Hunter Cheek, and Maddison Cheek (Dalton), all of El Dorado Springs; great-grandchildren, Tanner Shane Barger, and Beckett Barger – Smithville, Stella Rainey, Muncie, IN; sister, Sharon Henderson, and husband, Dan – Springfield; brother, Wayne, El Dorado Springs; aunt, Norma Dean Anderson – Willard, and a host of nieces, nephews and friends. Jimmy also leaves behind his furry friends Bandit, Lily and Aussie. They will miss him dearly.

The family will receive friends from 6-7 p.m. Wednesday, Oct. 27, at Bland-Hackleman Funeral Home.

Services for James Toliver, Sr. will begin at 11 a.m. Thursday, Oct. 28, at Bland-Hackleman with Reverend Brent Bland officiating. Military honors will follow upon completion of the service.

In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to the Vietnam Veterans of America or the Tanner Barger Memorial Fund, and can be left at the funeral home.

Online condolences may be left at www.blandhackleman.com.