James Dempsey Schwartz Jr., 58, of Kirksville, Missouri, passed away Saturday (October 13, 2012) at his home.

The son of James Francis and Margaret (Klingsmith) Schwartz Sr., he was born July 21, 1954 in Kirksville, Missouri. In 1981, Dempsey was united in marriage to Patricia West and to this union two children were born. On July 18, 2008, he married Chandra Richardson.

Dempsey is survived by his wife Chandra of the home; one daughter and son-in-law, Nikisha and James Shoush of Albany, MO; one son, Nathan James Schwartz of Lancaster, MO; one step-son, Jesse Richardson of the home; one step-daughter, Makayla Richardson of the home; four grandchildren, Lauryn, Gavin, Norah and Gable Shoush and a number of cousins.

He was preceded in death by his parents.

Dempsey was a graduate from Kirksville High School with the Class of 1972 and attended over three years at Northeast Missouri State University. Dempsey owned and operated Schwartz Brothers a family business for a number of years until going to work for Greg Lloyd at Lloyd Distributing where he was employed ten years. At that time, Dempsey went to work for NEMO Beer Distributing where he was employed until becoming ill.

Dempsey was a lifelong fisherman and was the BIGGEST Chiefs fan in Missouri.

He was a member of Mary Immaculate Catholic Church of Kirksville.

Public visitation will be held Tuesday (October 16, 2012) from 6:00 to 8:00 p.m. in the chapel of Travis-Noe Funeral Home in Kirksville.

Funeral services will be held 2:00 p.m. Wednesday (October 17, 2012) at Travis-Noe Funeral Home in Kirksville, with Deacon Dave Ream presiding. Interment will follow the service at Mary Immaculate Catholic Section at Highland Park Cemetery in Kirksville.

Pallbearers will be Mike Schnirch, Matt Findling, Randy Crowder, Larry Bradshaw, Barry Sanders and Doug Athon.

Expressions of sympathy in memory of Dempsey may be made to the Mary Immaculate Catholic Cemetery. Memorials may be made to Travis-Noe Funeral Home, P.O. Box 306, Kirksville, MO 63501.