James Thomas "JT" Ransom

James Thomas "JT" Ransom, of Steelville, MO, was born on Wednesday, January 30, 1963, in Sullivan, MO, to James Leroy Ransom and Elaine M. Ransom, nee Welkener.  He passed away at his home in Steelville, MO, on Wednesday, November 27, 2024, at the age of 61 years, 9 months and 28 days.

JT graduated from Steelville High School in the Class of 1981.  During high school, he was on the track team, played baseball, went to Vo-Tech in Rolla for HVAC and later boasted to his kids that he only missed one day of school in all of that time.  He had accepted the Lord early in life and was a member of the Steelville Presbyterian Church.  He married Donna Brinkley on November 20, 1982, and to this union three children, DJ, Megan L. and Benjamin, were born.  JT worked at Ferrell Gas before opening his own business, Ransom Heating & Air Condition LLC.  He then met the love of his life, Sharon J. Simpson.  They were married on July 22, 1995, in Bourbon, MO and together they blended their families, loving one another’s children as their own.  JT was a fan of the St. Louis Cardinals and St. Louis Blues.  He was an avid outdoorsman, had a way with animals and was able to call any kind of animal.  He loved hunting deer, turkeys and coyotes, going fishing – including deep sea fishing, camping and traveling.  He also enjoyed playing softball, hanging out at “The Shop” with Ray and was a member at the Steelville Country Club.  Most of all, JT was a loving and devoted husband, father, grandfather, son, brother, nephew, uncle, cousin and friend who will be missed by all that knew him.

He was preceded in death by his father, James Leroy Ransom; father-in-law, Johnny Simpson; son, Benjamin Michael Ransom.

JT is survived by his loving wife of 29 years, Sharon Ransom of Steelville, MO; children, Donald James "DJ" (wife Whitney) Ransom and Megan Leigh (husband Scott) Vanatta both of Rogers, AR; step-daughter, Megan E. (husband Brian) Friedmann of Steelville, MO; 8 grandchildren, Brinkley Vanatta, Kaylie Vanatta, Jackson Ransom, Emma Grace Ransom, Chloe Beth Friedmann, Nikolai Friedmann, Charlotte Ransom and Cordelia Friedmann; mother, Elaine Ransom of Steelville, MO; mother-in-law, Elizabeth Simpson of Cuba, MO; siblings, Jennifer Whitson of Steelville, MO, Julie Ransom of St. Clair, MO, Janice (husband Marty) McMillen of Steelville, MO and Joe Ransom of Steelville, MO; sisters-in-law, Sheila (husband Chuck) Moehlenbrock of Sullivan, MO and Sandra (husband Scot) Ware of Cherryville, MO; best friend, Ray Atchison of Steelville, MO; many aunts, uncles, nieces, nephews, cousins and friends.

Visitation was from 3:00 PM - 6:00 PM on Saturday, December 7, 2024 at Hutson Funeral Home in Steelville, MO.  Celebration of Life immediately followed at 6:00 PM with Rev. Jerry Beers officiating and was livestreamed on Hutson Funeral Home in Steelville, MO's Facebook Page.  The family chose cremation as his final disposition.  In lieu of flowers, memorials were suggested to Liberty Cemetery, Steelville Cemetery or Wesco Cemetery in JT's honor.

Arrangements under the direction of Hutson Funeral Home, Steelville, MO.

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