James L. Ooton Jr.

James L. Ooton, Jr., 85, of Camanche passed away Monday, May 12, 2025 peacefully at his home in Camanche surrounded by his children whom he loved deeply. Funeral Services will be 11:00 am, Saturday, May 17, 2025 at the Camanche Chapel Snell-Zornig Funeral Homes & Crematory. Visitation will be from 10:00 am until the service time at the funeral home. Burial will be on Monday at 9:00 am at Rose Hill Cemetery in Camanche with Military Honors being conducted by the Clinton AMVETS. Online condolences may be expressed by visiting his obituary at www.snellzornig.com. James Levi Ooton, Jr. was born December 14, 1939 in Staunton, Illinois, the son of James Levi and Doris Ardelia (Albrecht) Ooton, Sr. He was a graduate of Worden High School in Worden, Illinois. He enlisted in the Navy in 1959 and served on the USS NORTHAMPTON. James was a Fifty Year Life Member of the United Association of Journeymen and Apprentices of the Plumbing and Pipefitting Industry of the United States and Canada, affiliated with LOCAL 25. He continued his education and became a Quality Control Inspector and Teacher. After retiring he continued teaching classes. James married the love of his life, Carolyn “Jeanie” Rouse on May 7, 1966 in Clarksville, Missouri. They were inseparable; she preceded him in death on March 4, 2019. They took many RV trips where James took photographs with his 2 favorite cameras. He has won multiple awards in Juried Photography shows for his Wildlife and Nature Photographs. He was a member of the First United Methodist Church in Clinton, had the honor of becoming a 33 Degree Mason and a Shriner of Kaaba Shrine in Clinton. Being very charitable, he gave faithfully to many worthy organizations monthly. His favorite being RESOURCES OF CAMANCHE, which is the Camanche Food Pantry. He believed that his community should never go hungry. He was an avid sports fan, especially football and baseball. He was a faithful fan of the Green Bay Packers and the St. Louis Cardinals. Jim is survived by his twin children; Shala Ooton of Camanche, Iowa and George Ooton of Camanche, Iowa; and siblings: Janette Steinhauer of Osage Beach, Missouri, Beth (William) Finke of Camdenton, Missouri and Kenny (Karen) Ooton of Worden, Illinois as well as multiple Nieces and Nephews who adored their Uncle Jim. He was preceded in death by his parents, wife, and his siblings: Sally, Kirby and Ronald. He will be sorely missed by his family, friends and community.

James L. Ooton Jr.

December 14, 1939 - May 12, 2025