James "Jim" Rolla Nashan

James Rolla Nashan James Rolla Nashan, age 79, passed away on January 23, 2018, surrounded by family at Indian Hills Nursing Home. Whether you knew him as "James", "Jimmy", "Jim", "Dad", "Papa", "Uncle", "Nash", or "Mr. Nashan", you knew a loving, honest, strong-willed, and opinionated man filled to the brim with life, love, and spirit.   Jim was born to Charles Rolla and Helen Marie (Swearingin) Nashan, on August 18, 1938, seven miles west of Carrollton, in Carroll County, Missouri. He attended McCroskie Creek Baptist Church and considered it his church home and its members his family throughout his life.   As a child, he attended a one-room school, Star School in Trotter Township, Missouri, before attending and graduating from and Carrollton High School in 1956. Throughout his life he believed in the value and necessity of a strong education both for himself and others. He worked hard to put himself through college, cooking most of his meals, mostly casseroles, in a popcorn popper. He graduated from Central Missouri State College, in 1960, with a Bachelor of Music Education degree, and in 1966 earned a Master of History degree. In 1974, he earned an Educational Specialist Degree in American History and Economics also from Central Missouri State.   On July 2, 1960, Jim married Carolyn Ruth Kalthoff. Through 57 years of great love, they shared in each other's personal and professional challenges and accomplishments, enjoyed each other's strengths, and learned to abide and cherish each other's eccentricities. They had a child, built a home together, and enjoyed country life. Jim was a devoted husband, father, and grandfather; he was always his girls' biggest fan and supporter.   Jim followed politics and current affairs with a dogged passion and would talk (argue) for hours with Republicans, Democrats and Independents, given the slightest chance. He welcomed heated argument and enjoyed going around on the issues with everyone, regardless of their views or party affiliation. Generally, however, he was sure he was right (and that his daughter, in particular, was wrong). Jim especially enjoyed meeting up with his "breakfast club" to parse through the issues of the day. His political zeal and intellectual energy will be greatly missed.   Jim was a hard worker with many irons in the fire. In addition to teaching, he was an independent claims adjuster and a partner in H&N Adjustment in Chillicothe for 15 years. He also farmed and raised cattle. He loved to garden, cook and can. He could fix just about anything and had the toolshed to prove it. He got his pilot's license and loved to fly, but generally preferred to be at home on the farm rather than anywhere else.   Since 2004, he was rarely away from his beloved dog, Rosie, who preceded him in death by only a few months. In life, they were joined at the hip and operated as a nearly seamless unit, never far from each other and sharing each day from top to bottom, including the eating of many forbidden snacks and retiring together at the end of each day, with Rosie leading Papa to and from his bed following the loss of his eyesight. They were devoted to each other, and we take joy in imagining them reunited.   Many students in Chillicothe and this area studied with Jim, over the years he taught in the public school system. He first taught music at Bogard High School, band and choir. He then taught history, government and economics at Chillicothe High School and government and economics at North Central Missouri College. He was a very involved faculty sponsor of CHS Student Council and chaperoned many trips, games, and dances. His "eighth hours" were generally full and lively. He found many ways, both through formal positions and in his personal relationships, to foster and support a love of learning in others. His family has been touched and moved these past days to read the many remembrances posted on social media and personally shared by his former students and other faculty members.   Survivors include his wife, Carolyn, of Chillicothe; his daughter, Melody Nashan (Anna Lingo), of Columbia; two granddaughters, Lydia Helen Merkerson and Eleanor Kate Merkerson, of Columbia; his sister, Susan Jane Nashan, of Columbia; and many nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by his parents; two brothers, Charles Wilbur Nashan and Tommy Ray Nashan; and one sister, Velta Marie Flick.   Memorial Services will be held at McCroskie Creek Baptist Church, Carrolton, Missouri, on February 10, 2018, at 10:30 a.m. Friends may call at the Lindley Funeral Home, Chillicothe, Missouri, on Friday, February 9, 2018, from 9:00 a.m. until 5:00 p.m. Inurnment will be at McCroskie Creek Cemetery, Carrollton, Missouri. Memorial contributions may be made to McCroskie Creek Cemetery or St. Luke's Hospice and may be left at, or mailed to, the Lindley Funeral Home, P.O. Box 47, Chillicothe, Missouri 64601. Online condolences may be left at www.lindleyfuneralhome.com .   Arrangements are under the direction of the Lindley Funeral Home, Chillicothe, Missouri.