James F. Linson

James F. Linson, 83, of Jacksonville, and formerly of Anna, died Friday evening, Nov. 6, 2020, at St. Johns Hospital in Springfield.

He was born on Nov. 18, 1936, in Wolf Lake, the son of Blanche Miller and William Linson. 

He was the middle child of three, his younger brother William (Billy) Linson (wife, Linda, survives) and older sister Shirley Linson-Grayson, who both preceded him in death. 

He married Joyce Clair on June 3, 1967, in Kalamazoo, Mich., and she survives. Joyce and Jim were married 53 years.

He is survived by his children: Jeff Linson of Anna, Jennifer Linson of Jacksonville, Janean Mays of Jacksonville, (husband, Allen Mays), Josh Linson of Anna, Michael Henry of Fayetteville, Ark., and Lisa Marie Kerna of San Diego, Calif. His grandchildren include Michaelene Mays, Austin Mays, Zachary Mays and Isla Willis, all of Jacksonville. He also has many nieces and nephews. 

He was a loving father who was an extremely hard worker that always provided for his family.

He was a devoted Christian and member of the First Christian Church in Anna. He was a Sunday school teacher and deacon for several years. He passed on his love for the Lord to his family and was passionate about his faith. 

He graduated from Anna- Jonesboro Community High School in 1955 then attended the Naval Academy in Annapolis, Md. 

After attending the academy, he became a proud Marine where he served two terms. 

Jim became a truck driver, where he met many people on his travels who became lifelong friends. After many years on the road, he became the proud owner/operator of Linson Transport Systems and Linson Service Center. On all his semis he had the Bible verse, “To and for the glory of God” Corinthians 10:31.

He loved to work the land. Anything to do with a tractor, he did it: bush hog, mow, till, etc. You could often find him with a Dutchmaster cigar hanging from the side of his mouth with a glass of the sweetest tea. 

Jim never met a stranger and he would talk your ear off with all of his stories. As he would put it, “let me lay some word on ya.” He loved to give advice even though sometimes it was unwarranted. He was certainly the life of the party and jokester. 

Jim loved his vehicles from his ‘56 T-Bird to his GMC pickup. He instilled the importance of maintaining your equipment to his family. Anywhere he went Jim left a lasting impression. He will be loved and missed by many. 

The family will host a memorial service to celebrate his life. The visitation will be held at 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. and the service will start at 1 p.m. at Crain Funeral Home in Anna on Nov. 14, with military honors accorded. 

Memorials can be made to the First Christian Church of Anna.

Crain Funeral Home in Anna-Jonesboro is in charge of arrangements.

To view the obituary or to leave an online condolence for the family visit, www.crainsonline.com.