James Rudolph Diamond (Bolivar)'s Obituary
James Rudolph Diamond, 79, of Wheatland, Missouri, passed away on May 29, 2025. Born on March 28, 1946, in Marshall, Missouri, James was the son of Rudy Diamond and Adelle Cook. A proud Marine, James was among the first group deployed to Vietnam, serving his country with honor and bravery. After his military service, he spent much of his life on the road as a truck driver, traveling across the continental United States and managing to visit every state except Hawaii—a fact he enjoyed sharing with a grin. James married Sharon Pugh on February 29, 2004, and together they built a full and loving life surrounded by family. He was a man who never met a stranger. James had a gift for conversation, whether it was with a longtime friend or someone he’d just met. He loved to fish, had a never-ending supply of bad jokes, and always found a way to make people smile—whether they wanted to or not. James is survived by his wife Sharon; sisters Barbara Craig and Paula Desmond; step-brother Albert Diamond; three step-children: Mike Rathmann (Mary), Andi Carlisle (Greg), and Kelly Powell (Kevin); 11 grandchildren and 11 great-grandchildren, all of whom brought him immense pride and joy. He was preceded in death by his parents, his sister Angel, and his brother Keith. James will be remembered for his strong spirit, deep loyalty, sense of humor, and the countless miles he traveled—both on the road and in life. There will be a memorial service for James held at the Indian Foothills Park in Marshall, Missouri starting at 10:00 AM on June 21, 2025.
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