James Carl Lake

March 9, 1929 - November 9, 2019

James Carl Lake, age 90, of Versailles, passed away Saturday, November 9, 2019, at the Good Shepherd Care Center in Versailles. He was born March 9, 1929, in Barnett, a son of the late Thomas Leslie and Eva (Brown) Lake. He graduated valedictorian of the Versailles High School class of 1947. On November 20, 1949, he married Dixie June Charles, who preceded him in death on February 20, 2002. On January 2, 1950, Jim started working for Hunter-McDonough Motor Company as a parts man and continued with the same company in various capacities for many years. On January 16, 1952, Jim was inducted into the United States Army in Kansas City and then sent to Camp Crowder, Missouri for processing. He was sent to Aberdeen Proving Grounds in Maryland for basic training. After Aberdeen, he was sent to Fort Monmouth, New Jersey. While in Fort Monmouth, he went to school to learn basic electricity – radio and radar. Jim was sent to Redstone Arsenal in Alabama where he went to school to learn ground guidance control for guided missiles. He and Dixie bought a house trailer and pulled it to Alabama to live while he was stationed there. On January 15, 1954, he was honorably discharged and they moved back home. Jim went back to work for Hunter-McDonough Motor Company until he retired in April of 1992 as shop foreman. He and Dixie enjoyed taking camping trips each year in their motorhome with friends and family to local state parks. Jim was a member of the Versailles United Methodist Church, volunteered at the Versailles Nutrition Site for many years and always looked forward to afternoon coffee with his friends. He spent his free time fishing, reading western novels and watching old western television shows. He is survived by his sons, Scott Lake and wife Carolyn and Mark Lake and wife Donita all of Barnett; six grandchildren; numerous great-grandchildren; his longtime friend, Lucille Schouten of Versailles and many other relatives and friends. In addition to his parents and wife, he was preceded in death by his daughter, Carla Herndon, grandson, Shaun Lake, brother, Ed Lake and sister, Ella Ruth Albers. Funeral services will be held at 11:00 a.m., Thursday, November 14th, at the Kidwell-Garber Funeral Home in Versailles with Pastor Lora Cunningham officiating. Graveside services and interment with full military honors will follow in the Beulah Cemetery near Barnett. The family will receive friends from 9:30 to 11:00 a.m., Thursday, at the funeral home. Memorial contributions are suggested to the Versailles United Methodist Church or to Hospice Compassus. Arrangements are under the direction and care of the Kidwell-Garber Funeral Home of Versailles.