James L. Borth, 59, of Flippin, AR, passed away on Tuesday, January 21, 2020, at the Hospice of the Ozarks, in Mountain Home, Arkansas.

James was born on September 6, 1960, in Granite City, IL, the son of Henry and Marjorie Borth. He was a resident of Granite City, Illinois (graduating from Granite City South High School) until 1984 when he joined military. He was part of the U.S. Navy from 1985 through 1989. Upon the ship, the USS Forrestal CV A-59, where he held the rank of Signalman Special Artificer. In 1986 he married Olivia Libby and they resided in North Carolina. James was a humble, loyal, and hard working man and retired as a welder in 2003. As hobbies, he contributed to building several homes, fishing, hunting, and spending time with his loved ones. In 2005 James and Olivia moved to Violet Hill, AR where she preceded him in death in 2010. He then married Rita Pritchard on June 2, 2018. They resided together in Flippin, AR, where in their short time together they enjoyed going to yard sales and remodeling the house. They loved new adventures together and he worked on lawn mowers. His last days were spent at the Hospice of the Ozarks, where they took very good care of him.

Surviving are his wife, Rita Borth: his daughter, April Perkins; his mother, Marjorie Borth; a sister, Diane (Jeff) Goodrich; a granddaughter, Ryleigh: step children (by Olivia), Earl Messer, Mary (Danny) Miller, Michael Norton, Slate (Macy) Norton, and Spencer Norton; step grandchildren, Holden, Haley, Deanna, Michael, James, Mackenzie, Olivia, and Angel; step children (by Rita), Morgan, Wendy, Denise, Andrew, Seth, Shynia, and Weston; step grandchildren, Zach, and Damien; and several, cousins, nieces, nephews, and other relatives and friends, who loved him dearly.

Along with Olivia, James was preceded in death by his father, Henry; two sisters, Debra Condor and Dorothy Borth; a brother, John Borth; and a step daughter, Brenda Messer.

James' last wish and gift to mankind was to donate his body to science. A Gathering of Family and Friends will be held from 12:00 noon to 1:00 p.m. on Saturday, February 8, 2020, at Calvary Baptist Church, 3000 Washington Ave, Granite City, IL, 62040. A Memorial service will follow at 1:00 p.m. at the church, with Pastor Jesse Tedder officiating. In Lieu of flowers the family asks that memorial donations made be made to either the Calvary Baptist Church or to Hospice of the Ozarks, 774 Long Street, Mountain Home, AR, 72653