James T. Ausmus

James T. Ausmus, Sr., 88, of Centralia, passed away on March 9, 2026, at Boone Hospital Center in Columbia.

Born on September 10, 1937, in Columbia to Reginald E. Ausmus and Barbara M. Ausmus, Jim graduated from Hickman High School in 1955. He went on to attend the University of Missouri, where he earned his undergraduate and law degrees, and was licensed to practice law on September 8, 1962. On August 16, 1959, he married Joan J. “Jody” Ausmus, who passed away on January 8, 2024.

Jim served in the United States Army, commissioned as a 2nd Lieutenant on August 7, 1959, and was honorably discharged on October 31, 1967, having attained the rank of Captain in the Artillery. His distinguished legal career in Centralia spanned more than six decades. He served as general counsel for A. B. Chance Company, as City Attorney for both Centralia and Sturgeon, and maintained a private law practice until the time of his death. A proud member of the Alpha Tau Omega Fraternity since his initiation on April 16, 1956, Jim was also a lifelong Detroit Tigers fan whose passion for the team began in childhood during family vacations in Michigan, where he first listened to their games on the radio.

Jim is survived by his children, James T. Ausmus, II (Sarah), Jeffrey K. Ausmus, Sr. (Julie), and Joseph Andrew Ausmus (Christy); his grandchildren, Janeka Nychole Ausmus, Brittany Ann Heater, Jeffrey Kingsland Ausmus, II, Lindsey Brooke Ausmus, Adam Reginald Ausmus, Alexander Kost Ausmus, and Andrew Peter James Ausmus; his great-grandchildren, Mikyan Eban Ehnert, Avery Joann Wood, Benton Lee Palmer, Levi Kingsland Ausmus, Charlotte Stocks Ausmus, Chase Alan Heater, Reginald Lee Ausmus, and Dawson James Heater; his nephews, John Ausmus and Kevin Ausmus; and his brother-in-law, Larre Johnson. He was preceded in death by his brother, Reginald E. Ausmus, Jr.