James Arthur Shank

James Arthur "Jim" Shank, 71 of Cape Girardeau and formerly of Jackson, passed away Monday, March 3, 2025, at St. Francis Medical Center in Cape Girardeau. He was born in East St. Louis, Illinois June 30, 1953, the son of James E. and Evelyn C. Roewe Shank Jr. He married Deborah J. "Debbie" Vaughn on October on October 4, 1975. She passed away August 17, 2010. Jim married Jaci McDowell Gohn in 2016, she survives. Jim was a graduate of Belleville West High School in Belleville, Illinois and had attended Southwestern Illinois Community College. In 1985 Jim and Debbie moved to Jackson where he went to work for Southeast Missouri State University, retiring in 2014.

He was a member of Mount Auburn Christian Church in Cape Girardeau. He enjoyed landscaping, Bible study, walking, hiking, and fishing. Survivors include his wife Jaci; two sons, Chris (Dana Formon) Shank of Marietta, Georgia and Nate Shank of Fenton, Missouri; two stepsons, Adam (Svetha) Gohn and Eli Gohn. In addition to his wife Debbie, Jim was preceded in death by his son Jeremy Reed Shank who was killed in the line of Duty in Iraq, and a sister, Judy Shank. A memorial visitation will be from 5 to 7 p.m. on Friday, March 7, 2025, at Mt. Auburn Chirstian Church in Cape Girardeau. The Rev. Casey Elmore will conduct the memorial service at 7 p.m., on Friday, March 7, 2025, at the church. Memorial contributions may be made in his memory to Mid America Teen Challenge in Cape Girardeau. To leave an online condolence to the family please visit www.mccombsfuneralhome.com. Arrangements by McCombs Funeral Home and Cremation Center in Jackson.