Jess James Link
Jess James Link was born August 31, 1948, in Joplin, Missouri, to Joyce Eleanor and Lloyd James William Link. But if you asked those who knew his story, they might say his life truly began on August 27, 1966.
While working at Henry’s Hamburgers, Jess committed what would become his first and last crime—he stole the change from a girl until he managed to get her name and phone number. That little theft came with a life sentence; one Jess was more than happy to serve.
On November 17, 1967, at St. Mary’s Catholic Church, Jess married that girl, the love of his life, Nancy Ann Schulz. Together, Jess and Nancy shared 58 wonderful years of marriage, building a life centered around love, family, and companionship. Their marriage was a shining example of what it meant to truly love and share a life with your best friend.
In 1968, Jess answered the call to serve his country by joining the United States Army. He served from 1968 to 1970, including service in Vietnam. His time in the Army and his service in Vietnam remained an important part of his life’s story.
In 1972, Jess and Nancy were blessed with their daughter, Brandy.
Throughout his working years, Jess wore many hats and was never afraid of hard work. His career took him through many different fields, including owning a carpet store in Miami, and running a trucking company in Joplin for many years. He eventually retired in 2018 from Derailed Commodity.
Retirement gave Jess more time for the things that mattered most to him—Nancy and his family. Jess and Nancy shared a love of traveling and cruising, and some of the family’s most treasured memories were made on trips together. Whether celebrating milestones or simply enjoying the opportunity to be together, those adventures became part of the story of a life well lived.
Jess was a member of St. Mary’s Parish in Joplin, a church that held a special place in his life and was also where he and Nancy began their marriage nearly six decades ago.
On Thursday, August 13, 2026, Jess peacefully left this world and returned to his heavenly home after a period of declining health.
Jess was preceded in death by his parents, Joyce Eleanor and Lloyd James William Link; his sisters, Vicki and Marilyn; his brother, Harold; his in-laws, Elmer and Leatha Schulz; his uncle, Gary Clark; his cousin, Brent Clark; his brother-in-law, Al Runge; and his great-grandchildren, Ciyerra Dawn King and Wyatt Matthew King.
He is survived by his true love and wife of 58 years, Nancy Ann Link, of the home; his daughter, Brandy, and her husband, Travis; and their son, Lakota, of Carl Junction, Missouri.
Jess is also survived by his step-granddaughters, Shelly Ross (Mason), Tamara King (John), and Tiyana Stepp; and his great-grandchildren, Haydin Ingram, Tyler Ross, Ameya Murphy, Cole Ross, Bella Lankford, Alex King, and Maggie Lankford.
He is further survived by his youngest brother Dale, sisters-in-law, Marilyn Runge and Carolyn Tomlinson and her husband, Roger Tomlinson; nephews, Delaney Marsh, Kip Marsh, and Wade Hilton, Ryan Tomlinson; nieces, Whitney Thetge, Vanessa Powell, Monica Link, and Melissa Link; his aunt, Carolyn Clark; and cousins, Scott and Libby Clark, Morgan and Aaron Pyle, Courtney Clark, and Olivia and Silas Hauser.
A Memorial Mass honoring Jess will be held Tuesday, August 25, 2026, at 5:15 p.m. at St. Mary’s Catholic Church in Joplin, Missouri.
A Celebration of Life will be held Friday, September 11, 2026, at 1:30 p.m. at The Well United Methodist Church in Carl Junction, Missouri.
Jess’s life cannot be measured simply by the years between 1948 and 2026. It is better measured by 58 years beside the girl whose change he once stole, by his service to his country, by the family he and Nancy created together, by the miles traveled, the cruises taken, the celebrations shared, and the memories that will continue to be told.
What began with a handful of stolen change at Henry’s Hamburgers became a lifetime of love. And that was one life sentence Jess was happy to serve.
Arrangements are under the direction of Ozark Memorial Park of Joplin, MO
