Dr. James Truman Volskay

Dr. James Truman Volskay, 91, of Carthage, Missouri, passed away peacefully at home with his loving family nearby. Truman was born on December 3, 1934, in Springfield, Missouri, to Otto and Goldie (Bird) Volskay. After graduating from Central High School, he attended Southwest Missouri State College and Graceland College, then received his teaching degree from Southwest Missouri State College in Springfield. He taught junior high math in Springfield for a short time then joined the Army and was stationed at Fort Bliss in El Paso, Texas. After his service in the Army, he taught junior high math in Las Cruces, New Mexico. Through his best friend, Truman met his future wife Delma Jean Allen of Seneca, Missouri. They were married in Carthage, Missouri on June 6, 1964. They both taught in New Mexico then moved to Columbia, Missouri to pursue higher degrees in education. James Truman Volskay earned his master’s degree then PhD in Psychology. Truman, Delma and their oldest daughter, Delinda, moved to Carthage in 1969. Dr. Volskay joined the faculty in the Psychology Department at Missouri Southern College then Missouri Southern State College from 1969 to 1997. During his tenure there, he was Department Head for several years and taught many students who went on to teach in the four-state area. Truman was an Elder in the Carthage Restoration Branch of the Church of Jesus Christ. In his younger years, he attended church camps and Reunions at the RLDS campground near Racine, Missouri. He started attending Reunions with his family and camps as a youth then continued as a counselor guiding many young people. He also was invited to speak in all of the local RLDS branches and still resides in the memories of those who heard him speak. In his free time, he served as a 4-H photography project leader and helped make ice cream during Goat Days. He loved taking pictures and traveling for family summer trips. Truman is survived by his wife, Delma of the home, and two daughters, Delinda Volskay (Kreg Levengood) of Diamond and Allena Yates (John) of Centerview; 10 grandchildren, Isaac, Stephen, Charles, Robert, Theresa and Peter Yates, Julia Schoff (Eric), Andrea Levengood and Jeremy Taylor, Zachery Levengood (Lauren), and Emma Martens (Jason); and 2 great-grandchildren, Elijah and Sam Schoff. He was preceded in death by his daughter Edna Volskay (1992); his parents, Otto and Goldie Volskay; three brothers, Victor, Dale, and Henry Volskay; and one sister, Martina Spencer. Truman’s family would like to say a special thank you to the people at Home Instead for their excellent care of Truman for several years. There will be a funeral service for Truman at 10:00 AM on Tuesday, May 5, 2026, at Ulmer Funeral Home in Carthage. The visitation will be held the evening before from 6:00 to 7:00 PM on Monday, May 4, at Ulmer Funeral Home. The burial will take place at Fullerton Cemetery south of Carthage, immediately following the service. Online condolences may be posted at www.ulmerfh.com. Arrangements are under the care and direction of Ulmer Funeral Home.

Dr. James Truman Volskay

December 3, 1934 - April 25, 2026