James Estelle Suiter was born near Iconium , Missouri in Saint Clair County on June 12, 1932 a twin to James C. and Mabel (Phillips) Suiter. He was very small as a baby and was kept in a shoebox in the wood cook stove oven to keep warm. His twin did not survive. At the age of 14 James and his mother began to run the farm due to his father’s death in 1948. He helped raise his sibling’s as well.
James attended Liberty and Weaubleau Schools graduating in 1951. He was drafted in the army and fought in the Korean War and was honorably discharged after a year of service. He graduated from the Kansas City School of Watchmaking in 1956. In 191957 he married Lora Belle Herider in Marshal, Missouri and to this union three children were born. He opened his own jewelry shop in Holden, Missouri, carried maid as a substitute carrier, worked at Stahl’s specialty in Kingsville, Missouri. In 1968 he to Brackenton, Florida and worked as a watchmaker in a jewelry store to be near Lora’s parents. He returned to the Suiter Family Farm in Saint Clair County Missouri which was established in 1821.
James was preceded in death by his parents; three brothers, his twin Charles Richard Suiter, Gene and Phil as well as one sister Kathleen Truitt.
He is survived by his wife of 60 years Lora Belle (Herider); sons James Melvin (Charmayne), Randal Gene (Regina); daughter Joyce Elaine Doty (Dale); grandchildren Eileen Wade (Wyatt), Byron Suiter (Dawn), Trevor Doty (Sara), Kenneth Meek, Bryan Meek, Ashley Newton (James), Chase Doty and Lane Doty; 18 great grandchildren ; one sister Mary Ann (Melvin) Keyser and one brother Everett Suiter.
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