James D. Paris, 78, of Kirkwood, IL, passed away on Tuesday, September 30, 2025 at the Richard L. Owens Hospice Home, Peoria, IL, surrounded by his loving family.
He was born on June 19, 1947 in Monmouth, IL, the son of James B. and Ruby Josephine (VanTine) Paris. Jim was raised and educated in Kirkwood, graduating from Yorkwood High School in 1965.
Jim proudly served with the United States Coast Guard from 1966-1972. Most of his time he was stationed in Astoria, OR.
He married Janet E. Lozier on December 23, 1967, in Monmouth, IL. Together, they shared 45 years of marriage before Janet passed away on April 11, 2013. He later married Vickie Stokes Pico on November 4th 2022 in Oquawka, IL and she survives.
Jim owned and operated his own appliance repair business, Paris Appliance Service, for many years, earning a reputation for reliability, skill, and dedication to his customers. He later worked as an electrician in the maintenance department at OSF Holy Family Medical Center in Monmouth until he retired in 2014.
He attended the Heritage Bible Church. He was a former member of the First United Methodist Church in Monmouth and the Kirkwood United Methodist Church. He served on and was President of the Yorkwood School Board from 1990-1995. He enjoyed recycling aluminum, copper and brass. His family called him a junker. They loved to tease him about tinkering and he gave it right back. He was known to give gifts of aluminum balls, hedge balls and log slices.
Both Jim and Janet were Honorary Survivors for the 2012 Warren Co. Relay for Life. Janet and Jim both enjoyed traveling and took trips over the years. They were proud to be able to take each of their 6 grandchildren to Branson, MO to celebrate Veterans Week. The highlight of these trips included the Veterans Day parade, Dixie Stampede and riding the Ducks. They also enjoyed visiting Lighthouses together. One of their favorite trips was to North Head Lighthouse at the Cape Disappointment State Park in Ilwaco, WA with their children and grandchildren.
Later on, Jim and Vickie enjoyed traveling extensively visiting lighthouses, forts and historical sites throughout the country. The also enjoyed spending winters in Florida and Arizona.
Surviving Jim is his wife, Vickie Paris of Kirkwood; his daughters, Julia (Mark) McVey of Monmouth, IL, JoAnne (Dan) Allison of Wildwood, MO and Jera (Phil) Cofield of St. Charles, MO; step-son, Bryce (Rachael) Pico of Lebanon, MO; his grandchildren, Mitchell McVey, Maggie (Kevin) Gregory, Eric Allison, Brad Allison, Ashley Cofield, and Ryan Cofield; great granddaughter, Gracie Belle Gregory; step-grandchildren, Vanessa Pico, Alexandra Pico, Genevieve Pico and Keith Pico; his siblings, John (Judy) Paris and Jerry (Barb) Paris both of Arizona, Jane (Dean) Watkins and Janet (Lee) Beckham both of Florida; several nieces and nephews.
He was preceded in death by his parents, wife and his sister, Peggy Paris.
Memorial Services with Military Honors will be at 3:00 pm, Saturday, October 11, 2025, at McGuire & Davies Funeral Home and Crematory, Monmouth, IL. Visitation will be 1:00-3:00 pm Saturday prior to the services. Cremation rites have been accorded. Memorials can be given to the James Paris Memorial Fund and sent to the funeral home. For more information or to leave an online condolence visit, www.mcguireanddaviesfuneralhome.com.
