James Ray Abey, 45, of Cole Camp, passed away Thursday, August 27, 2026, at his home. He was born July 23, 1981, in Sedalia, Missouri, a son of Gary and Vikki (LeMaire) Abey.

James was baptized at the Assembly of God Church in Sedalia. From an early age, life was something James seemed determined to experience fully. In high school, he was a member of the swim team, golf team, soccer team and New Score show choir. In 2001, he graduated from Smith-Cotton High School. He continued his education at State Fair Community College in Sedalia and remained involved in show choir, where he found a way to capture the attention of Audrey Meyer. With his unmistakable zest for life and larger-than-life personality, he was simply impossible to ignore. Their friendship soon became love, and together they began a journey that would become the center of James’s world.

James worked for the Boys and Girls Club of Missouri where he began mentoring youth for several years while in college while also singing with the Sedalia Choral Association.

Never one to do anything quietly or without a little flair, James built a float and entered into the Saturday night parade at the 2006 Cole Camp Fair. Written along the side of the float “Audrey Meyer, Will You Marry Me?” And from that moment on, the three-ring circus began.

What followed was a life filled with love, laughter, beautiful chaos, and the kind of unforgettable moments that could only belong to James and Audrey. Their story began with a grand gesture, and together they built a family and a life that became James’s greatest adventure.

James was a member of Holy Cross Lutheran Church near Cole Camp, where he was confirmed on June 18, 2007, and was united in marriage to Audrey Meyer on September 22, 2007. Together, they were blessed with three children: Blake, Zackary, and Sophia.

Of all the things James was in this life-and he was many things-husband and father were among the roles closest to his heart. His love for Audrey and his children was never something he simply said. It was something he lived. It was written into the ordinary moments, carried into every room he entered, and woven into the very way he moved through the world. He loved them openly, fiercely, and without reservation. They were his heart outside of his body, and everything he did was, in some way, connected to the life and love they shared.

James had a voice that many people came to recognize, but those who truly knew him understood that it was only one of the many ways he made himself heard. He began as an intern for KSIS/KIX105 where he was given the name Corn Puff and eventually became a morning show host.  He also became a play-by-play announcer for various teams broadcasting on the radio, earning the new name Jim Shorts.  He later worked for KMMO as a morning show host as Raymond James and became the voice of the Marshall Owls and other communities, including Cole Camp.

In usual James fashion, he decided to bring joy to the special moments of others by starting Puff Productions.  He became one of the favorite DJ’s in the area always using his over-the-top energy to make their celebrations memorable.

But James was never meant to be contained by one microphone, one job, one title, or one role.

James wasn’t simply involved in his community; he was embedded into it. His fingerprints can be found in the places where people gathered, the games that were played, the causes that were supported, the events that needed a little more energy, and the moments that became better simply because James was there.

If something was happening in Central Missouri, odds were James knew about it. And if he knew about it, there was a good chance he was going to show up.

He showed up with his time.
He showed up with his energy.
He showed up with his humor.
He showed up with his whole heart.

And somehow, in a world where people are often too busy to notice one another, James made sure people felt noticed.

His heart was especially drawn to young people. James believed every child deserved the opportunity to play, to grow, to belong, and to discover something within themselves that might otherwise have gone unnoticed. He understood that sports were about more than wins and losses. They were about confidence, belonging, learning, growing, and sometimes simply having someone believe you deserved a chance.

He coached youth sports, served as a MSHSAA official for soccer, basketball, and baseball. He was the Superintendent at the golf course in Cole Camp and earned a membership with the GCSAA.

James was a friend. A doer. A supporter. A helper. A man who could turn an ordinary moment into a memory.  He was generous and selfless, full of life and wonderfully over the top. He was the life of the party, but never in a way that made others feel small. Instead, James had a way of drawing people in. He never knew a stranger because, to James, there really were no strangers-only friends he hadn’t met yet.

People describe James as “the vibe.”

And friends and family say that vibe was laughter and kindness. It was compassion and mischief. It was enthusiasm turned all the way up. It was showing up when someone needed help and celebrating when something good happened. It was a booming voice, a big personality, and an even bigger heart.

He was one of those rare people who leave a place better simply because they were here.

James was a dedicated Kansas City Royals and Kansas City Chiefs fan. He loved coaching, fly fishing, hunting, playing golf, and being outdoors. He loved life-not quietly or cautiously, but fully.  And perhaps that is what makes the loss of James feel so impossible.

When someone lives as loudly as James did, their absence feels loud, too. There will be moments when people instinctively look for him at the game, the event, the fundraiser, or the gathering. Moments when someone will expect to hear his voice on the radio or from the sidelines. Moments when the laughter comes a little easier because someone remembers something James said or did. Those moments will hurt. But they will also be proof that James was here.

He was here.
He mattered.
He loved deeply.
He gave generously.
He showed up.

And because he did, his family, his friends, and the communities that were fortunate enough to know him will never be quite the same.

He is survived by his beloved wife Audrey and children, Blake, Zackary, and Sophia; his father Gary and wife Chris of Oklahoma , his sister, Sheila Abey of Sedalia; his brother, Mark Abey and wife Jessie of Emma; his nieces and nephews, Jaylon Abey-Cade, Kayten Abey, Aevery Black, Christian Abey, Julissia Abey, Ella Black, Jason Dieckman, Andrea Dieckman, and Melanie Dieckman; and his great-nephew, Dean Hudson.

James was preceded in death by his mother, Vikki Abey and his grandparents Frenchy and Earlene LeMaire.

Funeral services will be held at 11:00 a.m. on Thursday, September 3, 2026, at Holy Cross Lutheran Church near Cole Camp with Pastor Tyler Poppen officiating. Burial will be in Holy Cross Lutheran Cemetery near Cole Camp. Pallbearers will be Domanic Bradford, John Hopper, Eric Friedley, Andrew Modesto, Matthew Riggins, Chris Thomas, Tony Utt, and Jerico Whitaker. Honorary pallbearers will be Mark Abey, Christian Abey, Jaylon Abey-Cade, Justin Meyer, Michael Dieckman, Jason Dieckman, and Donal Buckner.

The family will receive friends from 5-8 p.m. on Wednesday, September 2, 2026, at the Fred E. Davis Multipurpose Center at State Fair Community College in Sedalia.

Friends and loved ones are welcome to attend the visitation and funeral service. Due to limited seating at the church, those wishing to pay their respects are encouraged to attend the visitation.

The family suggests memorial contributions be given to Cole Camp Rec League or the James Abey Scholarship Fund in care of the Fox Funeral Home, Cole Camp. Online condolences may be left atwww.foxfuneralhomecolecampmo.com.