James John Vajen, 73, of Mora, passed away at home with his family by his side on Friday, April 18, 2025, to join his Lord and Savior in heaven. He was born on October 11, 1951, in Versailles, Missouri, a son of Clarence and LaRuth (Oelrichs) Vajen.
James was raised on a farm in Mora, Missouri, and was baptized on October 28, 1951, at Holy Cross Lutheran Church near Cole Camp. His baptismal sponsors were John Vajen and John and Emma Oelrichs. On April 11, 1965, he was confirmed at Holy Cross Lutheran Church. He was in the Holy Cross Lutheran Walther League and Couples Club, and served on the Board of Education and LSA School Board. While a member of Our Savior Lutheran Church in Sedalia, he served as an usher and elder.
He could only speak German and had to learn English when he started school. He attended Lake Creek one-room school, Holy Cross one-room school, The Lutheran School Association, and Benton County R-1. He was involved in FFA and Lake Creek Lamplighters 4-H Club.
On August 5, 1972, at Holy Cross Lutheran Church near Cole Camp, he was united in marriage to Nancy McCall. This union was blessed with the gift of three children: Kristie, Lisa, and Randy.
James started farming at a young age with his dad and worked as a carpenter for Fritz Schroder and Mavin Vajen and drove trucks for Hesse Trucking to help purchase his grandparents farm. He had a love of growing crops and harvesting and driving John Deere tractors which he enjoyed so much he would put in a slow gear to make it last longer. He also enjoyed traveling with friends and family and attending farm shows. He really loved spending time with his kids and grandkids. James never knew a stranger and could strike up a conversation with anyone.
He is survived by his wife, Nancy Vajen of the home; children, Kristie Jonson and Damien of Cole Camp, Lisa Arnett and Tim of Knob Noster, and Randy Vajen and Ashley of Mora; grandchildren, Cody McNelly, Braden Jonson, Montana Jonson, Isabelle Arnett, Isaac Arnett, Jameson Vajen, Charlotte Vajen, and Hazel Vajen; sister, Arlene Hall and Russell of Mora; sisters-in-law, Joyce Mahnken and Larry of Mora, Dorothy Holtzen and Robert of Mora, and Donna Stetzenbach and Scott of Sedalia; and many nieces and nephews.
James was preceded in death by his parents, Clarence and LaRuth Vajen, his father and mother-in-law, Harce and Elsie McCall, and sister and brother-in-law, Louise and Robert Smith.
The family will receive friends beginning at 5:00 p.m. on Friday, April 25, 2025, at the Fox Funeral Home in Cole Camp with a prayer service to be held at 7:00 p.m.
Funeral services will be held at 11:00 a.m. on Saturday, April 26, 2025, at Holy Cross Lutheran Church near Cole Camp with Pastor Tyler Poppen officiating. Burial will be in Holy Cross Lutheran Cemetery near Cole Camp. Pallbearers will be Randy Vajen, Cody McNelly, Braden Jonson, Mike Herrod, Charlie Cordes, Bruce Livengood, and Duane Harms. Honorary pallbearers will be Montana Jonson, Isabelle Arnett, Isaac Arnett, Jameson Vajen, Charlotte Vajen, and Hazel Vajen.
The family suggests memorial contributions be given to Holy Cross Lutheran Cemetery or Benton County Hospice in care of the Fox Funeral Home, Cole Camp.
Online condolences may be left at www.foxfuneralhomecolecampmo.com.
