James (Jim) Sitton Wells, 81, of Troy, MO passed away on Christmas morning December 25 ^th , 2022.  Jim was born to James and Mollie (Sitton) Wells on September 16 ^th , 1941, and raised in Troy & Moscow Mills, MO.  He attended Creech School in Troy, MO until the 8 ^th grade.  As a boy, Jim loved hunting, fishing, and riding his beloved horse, Jeep.  Jim later went on to continue his education in Columbia, MO, where he met his soulmate M. Darlene Wells. After dating for 2 years, the couple were married on November 1, 1958. Jim and Darlene then settled in Troy, MO shortly after they were married to start their life together. To this union were born Debbie, Allison, and James Clay.  Jim was a loving husband, father and Christian who raised his family with a love for the Lord.

Jim was a hard-working man with many talents.  As a young man, he worked for Hardin Richards Garage, in Moscow Mills, MO, and managed the family farm, raising livestock and crops.  He also worked with his mother at her business, "Mollie Wells Nursing Home" in Moscow Mills.  He assisted his mother with the up-keep, maintenance and administrative work for the facility until his mother passed in 1975.  At that time Jim and Darlene took over the nursing home until they sold it in 1978. He was proud of the nursing skills he learned during this time, as it would later in life allow him to care for his wife until she lost her battle against Alzheimer's on November 28 ^th , 2022.  In 1979, Jim began working for Binkley Welding for a short time before beginning a career in the trucking industry in 1982 driving for Swede Trucking. It did not take him long to fall in love with this industry, leading him to buy his own truck to become an owner/operator.  His wife, Darlene obtained her CDL license to drive over the road alongside him and had many adventures driving together. Jim and Darlene trucked together for 20 years until retiring in 2002. Jim always bragged to anyone who would listen of his wife's impressive abilities to back up a semi-truck in any spot big or small, as well as telling them she was one of the best drivers he knows.

Jim and Darlene eventually sold their family farm in 1999 and moved to their current residence off Fairgrounds Rd, in Troy MO.  Jim worked hard and played just as hard, his past-times included flying his plane, wood and metal working, engineering, and traveling in his RV are just a few of the things he loved but most of all Jim was a proud member of the Troy Masonic Lodge #34 for 58 years.  Jim will be greatly missed and long remembered by all those who loved him.

Surviving is his loving family: his sister Jewell Wells and her 4 children Kenneth, Mollie, Sharron and Karen; his children Debbie (Dale) Penrod of Branson, Allison (Steve) Emerick of Maryland Heights and Clay (Kelly) Wells of Branson; his six grandchildren, Dana Edwards, Megan (Ben) Bligh, Madison (Mike) Goulty, Ashleigh Wells, Mollie Emerick, Tyler Buessink and his step-grandchildren: Alexa, Jade, and Justin Strader; his many cousins and close friends.

He is preceded in death by his wife of 64 years Mary "Darlene" Wells of Troy; his parents James and Mollie (Sitton) Wells, his middle sister Joyce Wells; his older brother Mitchell Wells and his nephew Charles Wells.

A joint Service to celebrate the lives of Jim and Darlene Wells, will be held at New Galilee Christian Church located at 1769 E. Highway 47, Winfield, MO 63389 on Tuesday, January 10 ^th , 2023, at 7 pm in the evening.

In lieu of flowers , donations can be made in Jim's name to the Troy Masonic Lodge #34 c/o McCoy-Blossom Funeral Homes & Crematory, 1304 Boone St. Troy, MO. Family and Friends may sign the online guest book at www.mccoyblossomfh.com

Obituary written by his beloved family.

James "Jim" Sitton Wells, 81, of Troy, MO, passed away on December 25, 2022. Services will be held at a later date. Memorial

Donations may be made to the Troy Masonic Lodge 34 c/o McCoy-Blossom Funeral Homes & Crematory, 1304 Boone Street, Troy, MO, 63379, 636-528-8244

Family and Friends may sign the online guest book @www.mccoyblossomfh.com

A Full Obituary to follow.