James Edward “Cork” Lemons, 83, of Pittsfield, died on Tuesday, Dec. 2, 2025, at Harry Truman Veterans Memorial Hospital in Columbia, MO.
Visitation will be held from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. on Tuesday, Dec. 9, at Niebur Funeral Home in Pittsfield. Graveside service will be held at 1:30 p.m. on Tuesday, Dec. 9, at Green Pond Cemetery in Pearl. Niebur Funeral Home in Pittsfield is in charge of arrangements.
Mr. Lemons was born on Aug. 21, 1942, in Pittsfield, to Howard L. “Jack” and Mavis Marie Dark Lemons. He first married Patricia Evans and to this union, two sons were born. He then married Sara Ann “Sally” (Jeffers) Turnbaugh on May 29, 2004 in Las Vegas, NV, and she survives.
He was a 1961 graduate of Pittsfield High School and attended John Wood Community College. He was drafted into the United States Army in 1964 and served his country in Vietnam from 1965 to 1966. After the service, he returned home to work for GTE, and the State of Illinois. He then did some communication contracting, worked for Pike County Sheriff’s Office, and then in the Governor’s office for the Illinois State Police Executive Protection Unit. He liked traveling, going for drives, completing crossword puzzles, was an avid reader and was a gun enthusiast who enjoyed target practice. He was a lifetime member of VFW and DAV, belonged to American Legion Post #152 and Moose Lodge #420, and was an honored member of the Society of the 1st Infantry Division and Order of the Silver Rose.
Mr. Lemons is survived by his loving wife of 21 years, Sally Lemons; sons, Robert “Rob” Eugene Lemons and Seth Edward (Amy Beth) Lemons, both of Hillsboro; stepchildren, Tressa (Jeff) Hoffman of Athens, Alana Marx of Jefferson City, MO, and Jon (Kelly) Turnbaugh of Pittsfield; ten grandchildren; two great-grandchildren; brother, Michael (Bridget) Lemons; and sisters, Elaine (Frank) Hoaglin and Beverly (Edward) Hailey.
He was preceded in death by his parents, Jack and Mavis Lemons; and grandson, Josh Hoffman.
Memorials are suggested to be made to Pike County All Wars Museum.
Online condolences may be left to the family at www.nieburfh.com.
