James Harold Baile, age 95, died peacefully at Warrensburg Manor Care Center surrounded by his family on Monday June 16.

Jim was born at the hospital in McPherson, Kansas, May 6, 1930 to his parents, Harold Frank Baile and Salome Mohler Baile. He was the eldest of their four children. His Baile and Mohler Grandfathers both greatly influenced his life with their good work habits and Christian values. Both families were members of the Church of the Brethren where Jim's faith was formed.

Jim loved horses and rode Buddy, one of his tamest horses, to Valley School with his cousin Elizabeth Baile (Irle) riding behind him and his sister Margaret Baile (Hoefle) alongside on her horse Star. Jim began school in Leeton until his family moved closer to Warrensburg when he began attending College High in 1944. He was recruited by Coach Whiteman to play basketball and remembered having to get in good shape. He played with Bill Elwell and Audley Odell. One year they won 28 straight games. His Senior year he once scored 32 points in a game against North Kansas City.

Jim continued to play basketball for two years for Dr. Earl Keth, Coach for Central Missouri State College. When Jim's Dad got undulant fever by drinking unpasteurized milk in 1943, Jim began managing the family's farm by milking 10-12 cows before school. Despite this challenging family situation, Jim persevered with basketball and was also active in the Future Farmers of America. His teacher, Clarence Pearce, encouraged to him to try for the American Farmer degree which he obtained. In addition, he was a State FFA Officer which enhanced his leadership and public speaking skills.

Jim transferred to the University of Missouri and majored in agriculture. He focused on farm management. Following graduation, Jim was drafted in 1953 to go to the Korean War. He appealed to the draft board to serve as a Conscientious Objector to war due to his faith and membership in the Church of the Brethren, a historic peace church. He joined the International Voluntary Service and was assigned to take 5,000 baby chicks on a propeller plane to Jericho, Jordan. There he taught English and agriculture to Palestinian refugee boys for two years under the leadership of Musa Alami. In 1974, Jim took his family to Jericho to see the project and Musa Alami.

While leading the church youth group after his return from overseas service, Jim met the love of his life, Wilma Evelyn Cox. They were married on December 21, 1958 at the Warrensburg Church of the Brethren by Revs James Mohler (Jim's Grandfather) and Kent Naylor. They honeymooned in Florida before starting their life on an 80-acre farm three miles southeast of Warrensburg. Jim and Wilma sought to live peacefully and simply as they raised feeder pigs for 50 years.

Jim served the church as a deacon, church camp manager, District Moderator and Brethren Disaster Ministries volunteer. He served the larger church as a board member for the General Board of the Church of the Brethren from 1977-1982. He also worked to alleviate hunger in the world through activities with CROP on the local, state and national level. In 1979, Jim helped oversee the rebuilding of a home for two sisters in Sedalia after a tornado.

Jim wanted to give back to the community and was elected to the Warrensburg School board for six years and the Johnson County Extension Council. Two schools were built in the R-VI District while Jim was on the School Board-Ridgeview and the Warrensburg Area Vocational Technical School. He was instrumental in working with Bill Parsons to start the Fire Protection District and was a board member for 18 years.

Jim and Wilma selected Marty Myers, a recent graduate of the University of Missouri to live with the family and learn about farming in 1977.

Jim was a creative recycler who used fiberglass for everything from chair seats to car windows. He loved thinking through problems and did Wordle problems daily on the computer until his death. Despite being challenged by limited eyesight and hearing loss in his later years, Jim enjoyed fishing, swimming at the community pool and mowing his lawn. Jim made many wooden items for his family from walnut grown on the farm.

Jim is survived by his wife of 67 years, Wilma Evelyn Cox Baile, who lovingly cared for him until his death; his daughters Becky (Jerry) Baile Crouse, and Sarah (Dave) Steele; his five grandchildren, Stephen (Emilie) Miranda Crouse, Jacob Baile Crouse, Abigail (Laret) Miller, Christy Baile Crouse (Santiago Castañeda Lopez), and Aubrey Ann Steele; and one great grandchild, Emerson Grace Miller. He is also survived by sisters-in-law Edith Cox, Beth Baile and brother-in-law Dr. Bob Althauser and numerous nieces and nephews.  Jim was preceded in death by his parents, Harold and Salome Baile, and all three of his siblings:  Margaret (Baile) Hoefle, Dr. Clifton A. Baile, and Dr. Mary (Baile) Goetze.

The family is deeply grateful for all the support from church, friends, neighbors and caregivers including the Warrensburg Manor and Elevate hospice staff. Visitation will be held 5:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m. Thursday, July 24, 2025 at Williams Funeral Chapel in Warrensburg. Memorial services will be held 11:00 a.m. Friday, July 25, 2025 at the Warrensburg Church of the Brethren.

Memorial contributions are suggested to the James H. Baile Memorial Fund in care of the funeral home.

Online condolences may be left at www.williamsfuneralchapel.net