James L. Jeffery Sr. age 82 of Fruitdale, died Thursday May 10, 2007 at the Belle Fourche Regional Senior Care Center.

The memorial service will be 2pm Monday at the First Baptist Church in Belle Fourche with Rev. Anthony Bradseth officiating. Arrangements are with Funeral Home of the Northern Hills in Belle Fourche. In lieu of flowers, memorials are preferred.

James Leslie Jeffery was born in Spearfish, South Dakota. He was the son of George and Anne (Sanders) Jeffery. James grew up in the Spearfish area and graduated from the Spearfish High School in 1943. On January 14, 1945 he was united in marriage to Muriel Thomas at the First Baptist Church in Belle Fourche. Together they were blessed with 63 years of marriage.

James farmed and ranched in the Fruitdale area for many years. He also was employed at the sugar beet factory in Belle Fourche, and sold fertilizer for several years. Since 2001 he has been a resident at the Belle Fourche Regional Senior Care Center. He was a lifetime member of the Masonic Lodge, past president and member of the Board of Directors for Patrons Oil Coop of Belle Fourche, and the Belle Fourche Credit Union Board of Director. He was also a long time member of the First Baptist Church.

James is survived by his wife, Muriel of Fruitdale; son, George of Belle Fourche; daughter, Wanda (Andy) Demos of Belle Fourche; 1 grandson, Rodney (Millie) Hecker; 2 granddaughters, Carlie Jeffery and Shawna (Greg) Ginsbaugh; 2 step-grandsons, Jim and Bill Demos; 6 great grandchildren; 2 great great grandchild; sister, Louise (Walter) Stumpf of Nisland; nieces, nephews; and special friends, Monte and Heidi Drolc of Rapid City, and Sharon Allard of Spearfish.

He was preceded in death by his parents; son, James Arthur; sister, Ena Kesterman; and 3 brothers, Harry, John, and Albert.