DANVILLE – Dr. James (Jim) O Mavis, 96, of Chesterfield, MO, passed away, Tuesday, July 19, 2022, surrounded by his family.
Beloved husband, father, grandfather, honorary great-grandfather, uncle, and friend, Jim was a source of strength, wisdom, and inspiration to those he encountered throughout his life. Jim was preceded in death by his wife, Ruth (McKee); parents, Homer and Jenny (Frasher) Mavis of Butler; and a brother, Homer Mavis, Jr. of Fredericktown.
An Ohio native, Jim was born at the home of his parents in Mansfield. Jim graduated from Danville High School, Class of 1943. After graduation, Jim enlisted in the U.S. Navy. He was stationed for 2 years on the Majuro Atoll in the Marshall Islands, rising to the rank of second-class petty officer in aviation supply. Honorably discharged in 1946, he continued to serve in the U.S. Naval Reserve.
Following his service in World War II, Jim attained three degrees from Ohio State University, BS, MS, and Ph.D. in fruit and vegetable processing and technology. His career in food science and technology spanned nearly 40 years with industry-leading companies.
Together, Jim and Ruth leave a rich legacy faith, love, and devotion to their children, Douglas James Mavis of Webster Groves and Janet Mavis Sanders (Gary) of Moraga, CA, and their grandsons Brian James Sanders (Hailey Jenson) of Dallas, TX, Clay Michael Sanders of Oakland, CA, and Evan Daniel Sanders of Moraga, CA.
A celebration of Jim's life will be held at The Kirk of the Hills, St. Louis, MO, Saturday, Oct. 8, at 11 a.m.
A service of the Schrader Funeral Home and Crematory, 14960 Manchester Road at Holloway, Ballwin. Friends may sign the family's on-line guestbook at Schrader.com.
