James Edward Lykins, 81, of Kirksville, Missouri, passed away Tuesday—April 29, 2014 at Northeast Regional Medical Center in Kirksville.

The son and eldest child of Omar Milton and Stella D. (Redden) Lykins, he was born July 10, 1932 in Stricklett, Kentucky. On October 7, 1954 in Kirksville, Missouri, James was united in marriage to Beulah Mae Rowland, who preceded him in death on February 5, 2012 after 57 years of marriage.

James is survived by one son, Gary Lykins of Dallas, TX; two daughters and sons-in-law, Donna and Michael Zimmerman of Overland Park, KS and Barbara Jean and Mark Henson of Flagstaff, AZ; one caring and loving sister, Wilma R. Smith of Rhode Island; seven grandchildren, Scott Zimmerman, Katy Zimmerman, Stephanie Crooks, David Crooks, Jennifer Meyer, Brenna Lykins and Kaylee Lykins, and one great-granddaughter, Alannah Meyer.

James was also preceded in death by his parents and his younger brother, Bruce Thomas Lykins.

James was born and raised on a farm for nineteen years in Lewis County, Kentucky. He served with distinction and honor in the United States Air Force from 1951 through July of 1972, retiring after twenty-one years of service.

Following his career in the Air Force, James was employed with Truman State University for twenty-two years as a campus police officer until retiring in 1994. James also enjoyed driving school buses for Weber Bus Company for many years, including transporting local teams to events, until retiring from there in 2002.

After retiring, James enjoyed yard work, leisurely drives, hobbies and spending time with his family and friends as well as traveling when possible. He also enjoyed playing the banjo and listening to old-fashioned bluegrass music.

It was James wish to be cremated and that a memorial service to honor his life will take place 1:00 p.m., Monday (May 5, 2014) at Travis-Noe Funeral Home in Kirksville, with Chaplain Carrol Davenport officiating.

Family will receive friends on Monday (May 5, 2014) for one hour before the memorial service in the chapel of Travis-Noe Funeral Home.

Interment with military honors will follow the memorial service at 3:00 p.m. at the Missouri State Veteran’s Cemetery located in Jacksonville, Missouri whereupon James will be reunited with his loving wife.

Expressions of sympathy and in memory and honor of James Lykins may be made to Hospice of Northeast Missouri, 201. S. Baltimore, Suite C, Kirksville, MO. 63501. Memorials may also be left at or mailed to Travis-Noe Funeral Home, P.O. Box 306, Kirksville, MO 63501.

James’ family wishes to express their deepest gratitude and heartfelt thanks for the care and support provided to James by the medical community in Kirksville, including the staff and Northeast Regional Medical Center and Hospice of Northeast Missouri.