James August Kohler

James August Kohler, age 66 of Nixa, passed away Saturday, May 20, 2023.  He was born August 6, 1956 in St. Louis, the son of Melvin and Ann (Berry) Kohler. Jim attended St. Simon Elementary school and graduated from Lindbergh High School in 1974.  He attended College at Missouri State University earning a Horticulture Degree. On September 22, 1978, he and Janice Marie Opfer were married.

Jim taught high school horticulture for two years and then became a horticultural salesman.   He loved sharing his knowledge of horticulture with anyone who was interested. 

Jim loved music and acquired an extensive album collection.  He even knew Rock n Roll trivia!    Jim loved the outdoors and enjoyed camping trips to Colorado with his family. He also enjoyed following the St. Louis Cardinals Baseball Team. Jim had been a soccer coach for 15 years at Nixa Junior High School.  Jim and Phil Brucks were instrumental in adopting soccer in Nixa as a part of the curriculum.

In 2016, Jim had a stroke which left him unable to walk.  He acquired a recumbent bike which he rode everywhere! Jim was very independent even after his stroke.  He insisted on doing things himself.  He continued to love planting flowers and trees.  Jim really enjoyed having a barbeque in his backyard for friends and family.

He was a member of Amazing Grace Fellowship Church in Springfield. 

Jim was a loving husband, father, uncle, brother, grandfather, and friend.

Survivors include his wife of 43 years, Janice; three sons, James (Neil) Kohler and wife Jessica and granddaughter Kaitlan Marie Kohler, Benjamin Joseph “Ben” Kohler and wife Heather and grandson Archie Kane Kohler, and Alexander Bradley “Alex” Kohler and wife Audrey and grandchildren Chase Roland Kohler, Landon Michael Kohler, and Brooklyn Mae Kohler; and a sister, Lois Decker.

Jim was preceded in death by a brother and sister-in-law Melvin “Bud” and Dorothy Kohler, a brother-in-law Roger Decker; and his parents.

Visitation will be from 9:00 AM – 10:00 AM Friday, May 26, in Adams Funeral Home, Nixa.  A funeral service will follow at 10:00 AM with Pastor Roger Hedgpeth officiating.

Memorial donations in Jim’s name may be made to the Humane Society of Southwest Missouri.