James Otto Hahs Jr., 89, of Jackson passed away Monday, May 25, 2015, at his home.

He was born Sept. 8, 1925, in Sikeston, Missouri, son of James Otto and Lena Marie Smith Hahs. He and Anita June Calhoun were married June 21, 1959.

James graduated from Sikeston High School.

He enlisted in the United States Army on Feb. 11, 1944. He served during World War II in Germany, Austria and France in the 354th Infantry Regiment, 89th Division. He was honorably discharged May 21, 1946.

James worked at the former Hahs Machine Works in Sikeston, which he and a brother, William Hahs, co-owned. He then worked as a master machinist at Associated Electric Cooperative in New Madrid, Missouri, retiring in 1991.

He and Anita were longtime members of First United Methodist Church in Sikeston and have been members of New Mc- Kendree United Methodist Church since their move to Jackson in 2006.

James served as captain of the auxiliary police in Sikeston, taught Red Cross first-aid classes and was an avid genealogist and a wonderful storyteller. He enjoyed darkroom photography, writing stories of his childhood and war experiences and playing with his grandchildren and great-grandchildren.

Loving survivors include his wife of almost 56 years, Anita; three children, Janet (Doug) Sanders of Jackson, Patrick (Donna Gail) Hahs of Murray, Kentucky, and Ellen Hahs of Oran, Missouri; six grandchildren, Heather Sanders (Casey) Dodd, Tori Beth Hahs, Krista Sanders (Michael) Taylor, Natalie Hahs, Roger (Rebecca) Clements and David Clements; six great-grandchildren; a great-stepgrandchild; and three brothers, William Hahs of Sikeston, Charles Hahs of Oak Ridge, Tennessee, and Tom Hahs of University City, Missouri.

He was preceded in death by his parents and two sisters, Lois Harvey and Lucille Smith.

Friends may call from 4 to 8 p.m. today at the chapel of McCombs Funeral Home and Cremation Center in Jackson.

The funeral will be at 10 a.m. Thursday at the funeral home, with the Rev. Charles Buck officiating. Interment will be in Sikeston Memorial Park Cemetery with full military honors.

Memorials may take the form of contributions to New McKendree United Methodist Church or donors choice.

Online condolences may be sent to the family by visiting mccombsfuneralhome.com.