James Mark Eitel died peacefully at home on Tuesday January 12, 2016 in Kirksville, Mo at the age of 59. He died with his final wish being that he was holding hands with his two special girls, Ashlea and Brenda. He was diagnosed with pancreatic cancer December 2014. He remained brave, strong and very positive throughout his journey batting cancer. He fought to the very end.

James was born on February 16, 1956 in Kirksville, Mo. to Forrest and Nola (Ames) Eitel. He graduated from Schuyler County High School in 1974. He was united in marriage to Brenda (Stober) Eitel on January 7, 1978 and to this union one daughter was born (Ashlea). Ashlea married her high school sweetheart Jason Sidwell in 2009. James has one granddaughter Raylea.

James is survived by his daughter Ashlea Sidwell (Jason), granddaughter Raylea of Centralia, Mo and his best friend Brenda Eitel of Kirksville, Mo. He is also survived by his parents, Forrest and Nola Eitel of Queen City, Mo. He had one sister Joyce Martin (Raymond) of Kirksville, MO and 2 nephews.

In high school he was very active in FFA and showing sheep. Upon high school graduation he owned his own farm and ran 1500 feeder lambs at any given time throughout the years. In 1987, he moved to Manassas, Virginia where he did underground cable work and ran his own construction business, Eitel Enterprises. He was an American Quarter Horse trainer for 30 plus years. He was a well known man in the team penning and team sorting world. He was a member of the Team Wrangler Quarter Horse Professional Horseman in 2003 and 2004. He had won many AQHA World Shows and many awards though out his career in the horse industry. He had belonged to many team penning and team sorting associations. In 2008, he moved back to Missouri to run horse, cattle, sheep, and goats on the family farm.

James was known best by his big beautiful smile, laughter, heart of gold and he never knew a stranger. He enjoyed spending time with Ashlea, Jason, Raylea, Brenda, family and friends.

He was preceded in death by his grandparents, Sherman and Queen Eitel, Mark and Winnie Ames.

Pallbearers will be Robert Peters, David Farmer, Toby Bolsen, Larry Harvel, Jeremy Eavers, and Larry Keith.

Honorary bearers will be Hunter Wolf, Clark Allen, Doyle Dover, Rick Potter, Victor Orozco, and German Orozco.

Visitation will be Friday (January 22, 2016) with family receiving friends from 6:00 to 8:00pm. Funeral service will be held at 11:00am Saturday (January 23, 2016) at Travis-Noe Funeral Home with Tim Mast officiating. Burial will be in the Fugate Cemetery in Greentop, Missouri.

Memorials are suggested to Hospice of Northeast Missouri or to Schuyler County Cancer Relief Fund. Memorials may be left at or mailed to Travis-Noe Funeral Home, P.O. Box 306, Kirksville, MO 63501.