James Wattenbarger, an 85 year old Trenton, MO resident, passed away at 12:25 p.m., Tuesday, November 1, 2011 at Liberty Hospital in Liberty, MO.

Memorial services are scheduled for 1:00 p.m., Monday, November 7, 2011 at Whitaker Eads Funeral Home in Trenton.  Inurnment at Sharon Chapel will be at a later date.  Memorial donations are suggested to either the V.F.W. or the LIONS Club.

James Wattenbarger was born March 28, 1926 in Savannah, MO to James C. and Martha E. Wooderson Wattenbarger.  They lived in Kansas City before moving to Trenton.  He graduated from Westport High School in Kansas City and then served in the United States Marine Corps from 1943 until 1949.  After his military service James joined the U. S. Border Patrol for 3 years at El Paso, TX and then with the Federal Bureau of Narcotics.  In 1955 he was employed by the Los Angeles Sheriffs Dept and he received his B.S. degree in Police Science from Cal State University of Los Angeles.  In 1978 he retired from the Sheriffs Dept. and returned to Trenton.  He has been a member of the St. Joseph Catholic Church as well as the Joseph L. Norton V.F.W. Post 919, Trenton LIONS Club and the 6th Marine Division Association.

Surviving relatives include his son Erick James Wattenbarger, his three grandchildren Erin, Isac and Nickolas Wattenbarger all of Trenton, as well as many nieces, nephews and cousins.

Those preceding him in death include his parents and sisters Carolyn Wattenbarger and Mary Portman.