Jimmie Leon “Jim” Choate, age 78 years, of Jefferson City, Mo., passed away Wednesday, October 23, 2019 at Oak Tree Villas surrounded by family and friends.
Jim was born March 20, 1941 in Tishomingo, Oklahoma a son of Leon and Bonnie Mae (Cope) Choate. He was married on April 29, 1961 in Norman, Oklahoma to Kathren Mattingly.
Jim was a graduate of Fredonia High School in Fredonia, Kansas. He received his bachelor’s degree in Wildlife Biology from Kansas State University in Manhattan, Kansas, and later received his Master’s degree from the University of Missouri-Columbia.
He was employed with the Missouri Department of Conservation for over 35 years until his retirement in 2001. During that time with the Conservation Department, Jim worked as Area Manager, Wildlife Biologist, Land Management Supervisor, Assistant Chief of Wildlife Division, and retired as Central Region Supervisor. Jim was proud of the years he spent farming with his father in Fredonia, Kansas, and was also a welder with Bliss Construction Company.
He was active with the Conservation Pioneers, National and State Wildlife Societies, Missouri Conservation Federation, and a member of Ducks Unlimited, the Wild Turkey Federation, Missouri Prairie Foundation, and various other professional organizations. He was a member of First Baptist Church where he served as deacon, greeter, as well as a Sunday School Teacher.
Jim has always been passionate about being outdoors and enjoyed photography and hunting and fishing trips with friends and family. He loved to bike on the Katy Trail and travel with his wife Kathren. Most of all, Jim cherished the time he spent with his children and grandchildren. His joys included teaching them how to fish and hunt and supporting them in all their activities.
Survivors include: his loving wife of 58 years, Kathren Choate; two sons, Brian Choate and his wife Gayla of Coppell, Tx. and Gregory Choate and his wife Becky of Smithfield, Va.; one daughter, Lauri Choate of St. Louis, Mo.; one brother, Jerry Choate and his wife Carol of Tahlequah, Ok.; and five grandchildren, Caleb Choate and his wife Audrey, Sara Crump and her husband Kenneth, Garrett Choate, Matthew Choate and his wife Tiffany, and Connor Choate.
He was preceded in death by his parents and one brother, Tommy Choate.
Visitation for Mr. Choate will be held at Freeman Mortuary from 4:00 pm until 6:00 pm Sunday, October 27, 2019.
Funeral services will be conducted at 10:00 am Monday, October 28, 2019 at the First Baptist Church with the Reverend Greg Morrow and the Reverend Dr. Doyle Sager officiating. Graveside services and interment will be conducted at Riverview Cemetery.
In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions are suggested to the Alzheimer’s Association and the Parkinson's Foundation.
Funeral arrangements are under the care of Freeman Mortuary.