Cover for James "Red" William Tolbert's Obituary

IN LOVING MEMORY OF

James "Red" William

James "Red" William Tolbert Profile Photo

Tolbert

Apr 11, 1931 — Oct 4, 2026

Funeral Services

Visitation

October
10

Saturday

Wilson-Griffin Funeral Home

201 S Daniel Ave, Ash Grove, MO 65604

Starts at 1:00 pm (Central time)

Send Flowers

Funeral Service

October
10

Saturday

Wilson-Griffin Funeral Home

201 S Daniel Ave, Ash Grove, MO 65604

Starts at 2:00 pm (Central time)

Send Flowers

Obituary

James William “Red” Tolbert, 95, of Fort Worth, Texas, passed away on October 4, 2026, in Fort Worth, Texas. Red was born on April 11, 1931, in Miller, Missouri, to James Elmer and Celia Francis (Owens) Tolbert.

Red grew up in the Ash Grove area and graduated from Ash Grove High School in 1949. Red then began his railroad career with Frisco Railroad and retired as a supervisor from Burlington Northern Railroad. He enjoyed his work and all the friendships he made throughout the years. Red enjoyed being outdoors, whether he was fishing with Mike Hooten or riding horses with William Smith. After June passed in 2018 and Red moved into a retirement community, he enjoyed shooting pool and going to Winstar with his new friends he made there. Red will be greatly missed by all those that knew and loved him.

Red is survived by his daughter, Margaret Jan Moore and husband Michael; daughter-in-law, Cris Tolbert; several grandchildren, great grandchildren, other loving family and many friends.

Red was preceded in death by his parents, Elmer and Celia (Frankie)Tolbert; wife, June Tolbert; son, James William Tolbert Jr., stepson, Don Bailey, sisters, Aletha Ruark and Reba Hoover.

Visitation will be 1:00PM until service time, Saturday, October 10, 2026, at Wilson-Griffin Funeral Home, Ash Grove. Funeral services will begin at 2:00PM with burial to follow at Sinking Creek Cemetery, Everton, Missouri.

In lieu of flowers memorial donations can be made to Sinking Creek Cemetery or American Cancer Society and may be left with the funeral home. 

To send flowers or plant a memorial tree in memory, please visit our flower store.

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