Obituary of James A. Whitehead

James A. Whitehead Funeral services for James Anson Whitehead of Elsberry, MO will be held at 11:00 a.m. Wednesday, January 18, 2012 at Carter-Ricks Funeral Home in Elsberry. J. Larry Carter of Carter-Ricks Funeral Home, will officiate with burial in the Elsberry City Cemetery. Serving as pallbearers will be Joey Phillips, Jon Phillips, Josh Phillips, Roy Whitehead, Steve Sharpe and Jamie Suddarth; and honorary pallbearers will be Jess Simpson, Mike Hartley, Sr., Randall Tolbert, Leonard "Buck" Beasley, Robert Potter and Mike Henebry. Mr. Whitehead, 74, passed away Saturday evening, January 14, 2012 at his home in Elsberry. Born October 20, 1937 in Sarcoxie, MO, he was the son of Lawrence Edwin and Erma Dorcus Whitehead. He was a graduate of Francis Howell High School in St. Charles, MO. He was united in marriage on December 19, 1959 in Elsberry to Marcella Collins. This union was blessed with three children: James Kevin, Kirk Lee and Kelly Lynn. Mr. Whitehead was a commercial ironworker for many years and was a member of the Ironworkers Local #396 in St. Louis. Jim and Marcella owned and operated Whitehead's Cafe in Elsberry for several years, retiring in 1990. He was a Phillips 66 gas bulk plant operator for many years, and was a co-owner of BJs Quick Shop in Elsberry. Jim was preceded in death by his parents, Lawrence and Erma Whitehead; two brothers: Jackie Eugene "Gene" Whitehead and Lonnie Dale Whitehead; one grandson, Jarod Phillips in 2005; and his beloved wife of 45 years, Marcella Whitehead on May 29, 2005. Survivors include two sons: James Kevin Whitehead and his wife, Mary, of Elsberry, and Kirk Lee Whitehead of Dade City, FL; one daughter, Kelly Lynn Phillips and her husband, Rick, of Elsberry; seven grandchildren: Kimberly Jo Whitehead, Kathryn Lea Whitehead, Roy Patrick Whitehead, Joseph Lee Phillips and his wife, Cindi, Jonathan Paul Phillips, Joshua James Phillips and Kaycie Briscoe; and six great-grandchildren: Taylor Jane Phillips. Kyla and Jaxon Sifuentes, Sean and Colin Phillips, and Madelynne Briscoe. He also leaves two brothers: William "Bill" Purl Whitehead and his wife, Anita, of O'Fallon, MO, and Robert "Bob" Edwin Whitehead and his wife, Joan, of St. Charles; two sisters: Joann Elizabeth Leffeler and her husband, Harold, of Winfield, MO, and Erma "Sue" Schlup and her husband, Clyde, of St. Charles; two sisters-in-law: Linda Marie Whitehead of St. Charles, and Peggy Wheadon of Elsberry; several nieces, nephews, other relatives and many friends. Visitation will be held from 4:00 - 8:00 p.m. Tuesday, January 17, 2012 at Carter-Ricks Funeral Home in Elsberry. Memorials may be made to the Marcella Whitehead Scholarship Fund in care of Carter-Ricks Funeral Home, 107 South Fifth Street, Elsberry, MO 63343. Online condolences may be made at www.carterricksfuneralhome.com.