James Omar Uptegrove

James Omar Uptegrove, 71, of Cole Camp, passed away Sunday, April 27, 2025, at his home. He was born on November 12, 1953, in Clinton, Missouri, a son of Omar Lonzo and Marguerite (Haase) Uptegrove. James grew up near Cole Camp on a farm on Tobacco Road and attended school in Cole Camp. In his youth, he hauled hay, caught turkeys, and went swimming in Haw Creek. On October 21, 1972, at the Baptist Church in Sedalia, he was united in marriage to Barbara (Colvin) Wilson. Together they raised four children: Laura, Anna, Ross, and Pamela. He worked in maintenance and refrigeration for Swift's and Toppers in Sedalia until 1991. He was always in to buying old cars and parting them out. After moving to his place on Seven Hills Road in 1986, he was able to expand his business. James was instrumental in both turning a '57 Chevy into a DJ booth and placing a '60 Corvair on a pedestal in front of Cruisers in Sedalia. He enjoyed taking trips on his motorcycle to Bagnell Dam, visiting with friends, looking for old cars and helping his friends find parts. He is survived by his girlfriend, Dianna; daughter, Pamela Wilson of Cole Camp; sisters, Ila Murton of Sedalia, Eva Wilson of Stover, and Linda David of Sedalia; brothers, Raymond Uptegrove of Jefferson City, Donald Uptegrove of Dresden, and Ronald Uptegrove of Sedalia; grandchildren, Rachel (Matt) Bale, Christina (Andrew) Adams, Nikki Bale, Jasmine Kriesel, James (Kim) Hazel, Kimberly Hazel, Angela Hazel, Mathew (Marissa) Wilson, Stephen (Gabriella) Wilson, Tia (Dan) White, Shane Ruth, Dalton (Jasmine) Stonecipher, and Seania Stonecipher; great-grandchildren, Kaitlyn, Gage, Jocelyn, Lillian, Whitney, Jasmine, Brandon, Cody (Audrina), Dalton, Peyton, Tessa, Addyson, Riley, Kaley, Dakota, Blake, Austin (Hailey), Christian (Shelby), Hunter, Emalee, Natalea, Easton, Ava, Miri, Xander, Zayden, Kayanna, Daniel, Caiden, Analeah, Dagon, and Elizabeth; and great-great-grandchildren, Tavious, Leon, Jaxon, Eric, Serenity, Abby, Jocelyn, Rowland, Elizabeth, Issac, Harley, Dany, Brian, Renesmee, and Lilly. James was preceded in death by his parents, Omar and Marguerite Uptegrove, wife, Barbara Uptegrove, daughters, Laura Faye Kreisel and Anna Marie Hazel, son, Elmer Ross Wilson, and sister, Glenda Byrd. The family will receive friends from 6 - 8 p.m. on Friday, May 2, 2025, at the Fox Funeral Home in Cole Camp. Graveside services will be held at 1:00 p.m. on Saturday, May 3, 2025, at Stover Cemetery in Stover. The family suggests memorial contributions be given to Stover Cemetery in care of the Fox Funeral Home, PO Box 37, Cole Camp, MO 65325.