James Lee Crooks, 67, formerly of Kirksville, Missouri, passed away peacefully with his daughter at his side on Monday (November 11, 2013) at Nodaway Nursing Home in Maryville, MO.

Jim was born November 13, 1945 in Kirksville, Missouri, the son of Forest Lee and Lois Irene (Martin) Crooks.

Jim was a graduate of Kirksville High School and of the University of Missouri Columbia with a Bachelor of Science in Secondary Education and from the University of South Dakota with a Masters in Biology. He taught high school science in Davenport, Iowa, Columbus, Ohio and at
Kirksville High School and later helped manage the family real estate business. He enjoyed fixing lawn mowers, was an avid pool player, and loved old cars. After his stroke in 2005, he received loving care at Nodaway Nursing Home.

He was preceded in death by his parents.

Jim is survived by Shirley Lee, mother of their sons Jesse Lee and Ryan James Crooks, both of the home; one daughter and son-in-law, Susie and Randy Holtman of Maryville, MO (daughter of James and Patricia (Crooks) Henley) and their four grandchildren, Christopher, Cassidy, Mollie and Madison Holtman all of Maryville, MO. He is also survived by one brother and sister-in-law, David and Lois Crooks of Columbia, MO; two nieces, Stephanie and Jennifer and one nephew, David.

Public visitation is in progress and family will receive friends on his birthday, this evening, Wednesday (November 13, 2013) from 6:00 to 8:00 p.m. in the chapel of Travis-Noe Funeral Home in Kirksville.

Graveside services will be held 10:00 a.m. Thursday (November 14, 2013) at Highland Park Cemetery in Kirksville, with Pastor Darrell Crooks officiating.

Pallbearers will be Dave Crooks, Randy Holtman, Christopher Holtman, Cassidy Holtman, Mollie Holtman and Madison Holtman.

In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to the Nodaway Nursing Home of Maryville, Missouri. Memorials may be left at or mailed to Travis-Noe Funeral Home, P.O. Box 306, Kirksville, MO 63501.