James Cendroski

James Raymond Cendroski, (JR), age 78

June 30, 1943 to August 12, 2021

JR was called home to our Lord on Thursday, August 12, 2021 at 8:00 in the evening while surrounded by the love of his children and clothed with The Scapular of Our Lady of Mount Carmel given to him just hours before his death from Bishop Rice of the Diocese of Springfield-Cape Girardeau.

JR was united in marriage to Sandra Irene Cendroski on August 9, 1968 in Miami, Oklahoma. He graduated from Pierce City High School in 1961. He proudly served in the Army National Guard from 1961 to 1968 and was stationed in Fort Knox, Kentucky. He then moved to Springfield and became a heck of a salesman, mostly selling cars and eventually opened his own car lot.

He is survived by his children, Eric Bradley Cendroski and his wife Lindsey of Republic, Missouri; Timothy Julius Cendroski and his wife Harmony of Smithville, Missouri; Andrea Dawn Cendroski and her fiancé Ronnie Voelker of Clever, Missouri; James Cendroski of Monett, Missouri; and Denise Olmstead of Mansfield, Texas; grandchildren Mckenzie, Madelynn, Macy, Wyatt, Savanah, Jackson, Raylee, Kailey, Dereck and Daniel; two sisters, Rita Suefert and Bill of Pierce City, Missouri; Shirley O’Hara and Mike of Pierce City, Missouri; brother-in-law’s Tom Allcock of Monett, Missouri, Ernie Ford and Carlene of Republic, Missouri.

He was met at the gates of Heaven by his wife Sandra (Sandy) Cendroski; parents, Julius and Pauline Cendroski; his brother Pat Cendroski; and most recently his sister Judy Allcock and his nephew Travis Allcock; as well as a host of other family and friends. I’m sure his best friend, Ray Hicks, had a fishing spot picked out and a bottle of Jack Daniels ready for them to catch the big ones!

JR was an avid fisherman and hunter. He and Sandy enjoyed taking their children on family camping trips. He always had a boat and was on the water any time he had the chance. JR also enjoyed fishing bass tournaments with his kids and his fishing buddy, Marty. He would even take the neighbor kids fishing in buddy bass tournaments. He was an active member of the men’s club at St. Elizabeth Ann Seton Catholic Church. Aside from fishing and hunting he also enjoyed playing golf, gambling, tinkering on cars and boats, cooking meals for his family and watching his grandchildren play sports.

To know JR was to love JR, even though sometimes he would tick you off when he was helping you work on something, as his way was the right way every dang time! His heart was golden and he always right there if you needed him, whether it was fixing a car or something at your house or getting a lure out of a tree (while he was cussing you for throwing your damn lure in a tree). If you were lucky enough to be his neighbor you even got your yard mowed regularly. JR will always be remembered as a loving and ornery father, grandfather, brother, uncle, neighbor and friend.

Visitation will be held Thursday, August 19th, 2021 from 6:00 p.m.-8:00 p.m. at Herman H. Lohmeyer Funeral Home, 500 E. Walnut St., Springfield with a Rosary Service at 7:00 p.m.

A Funeral Mass will be held Friday, August 20th, 2021 at 10:00 a.m. in St. Elizabeth Ann Seton Catholic Church, 2200 W. Republic Rd, Springfield, Missouri with Msgr. Tom Reidy as Celebrant.

A luncheon celebration will immediately follow mass at the Fraternal Order of Eagle’s, 603 W. Plainview Rd., Springfield.
Graveside services with full military honors will be Saturday, August 21, 2021 at 10:00 a.m. at Resurrection Cemetery in Springfield, Missouri.

Memorial contributions may be made to the Salvation Army or the Men’s Club at St. Elizabeth Ann Seton Catholic Church.

Permanent online condolences, stories and photos may be shared at www.hhlohmeyer.com.