James Edward Bugg, 86, of Assumption, IL, passed away peacefully on January 29, 2026 in St. Mary's Hospital, Decatur, IL.

A visitation will be held on Wednesday, February 4 from 4-7 p.m. at Seitz Funeral Home in Assumption, IL. Funeral services will be held at the Memorial Presbyterian Church of Assumption, IL on Thursday, February 5 at 10:30 a.m. with Pastor Tom Mulch presiding.  Burial, with full military rites, will be in Pleasant View Cemetery, Assumption, IL.  Memorials may be made to the Assumption Public Library, Central A&M Foundation, and Assumption Ambulance Service.

James was born on April 29, 1939, in Moweaqua, IL, the son of John Maurice and Elizabeth Ruth (Camac) Bugg.  He attended Assumption High School where he was a proud member of the FFA as well as the football and basketball teams.  Following high school, James studied Ag Science at the University of Illinois where he enrolled in the ROTC program and lived at Illidell. While a student at the University of Illinois, he met the love of his life, Sondra Sue Gaskill. They married on June 24, 1962 in Monticello, IL, and moved to Arlington Heights, IL where James completed his ROTC military service and Sondra taught English at Palatine High School.  In 1964, they moved back to the family farm in Assumption, IL where they resided until 2024 when they both moved to Eastern Star Home in Macon, IL.  James and Sondra were happily married for 63 years.  Sondra survives James and resides at Eastern Star.

In addition to serving his country through the U.S. Army and farming, James devoted many years to teaching science and coaching girls and boys basketball at Central A&M Middle School. Deeply committed to public service, James generously gave his time and leadership to numerous organizations and boards. He served as president of the Assumption School Board and the Kemmerer Village Board; chairman of the Christian County Extension Board and the Christian County Health Planning Board; and was a member of the Assumption Library Board. He was also an active member of Memorial Presbyterian Church of Assumption, serving as an Elder, as well as a member of the Assumption Optimist Club, Assumption Historical Society, Central A&M Foundation, and the Veterans Memorial Committee.  One of his proudest achievements was assisting in the planning, construction and dedication of the Veterans Memorial in Assumption, IL.

Nothing was more important to James than his beloved family.  As a father, he seldom missed any of his children's school events, and he continued that trend as a grandfather to his eight grandchildren. He also served as a youth coach for his children's little league and basketball teams. He loved history as he became known as not just the Camac/Bugg family historian, but also researched the histories of the Memorial Presbyterian Church and the community of Assumption.  James and Sondra enjoyed taking vacations rooted in history as he visited every U.S. National Park and proudly set foot on every Civil War battle field.  They also enjoyed an African safari, the Galapagos Islands, Machu Picchu, the Globe Theater in London, and the Greek islands. He was a fan of the Fighting Illini as well as a lifelong Chicago Cubs fan who finally saw his beloved team win the 2016 World Series.

Surviving are his wife, Sondra; sons: Todd Edward (Gina) Bugg of  Bloomington, IL, Kent Andrew (Deborah) Bugg of Lodi, WI, and Matthew James (Crystal) Bugg of Assumption, IL; daughter, Amy Elizabeth Bugg of Omaha, NE; 7 grandchildren; 3 great grandchildren, and sisters: Carolyn Ruth Younker of Galesburg, IL and Janet Ann (Steve) Webel of Baylis, IL.

Preceding him in death are his parents, John Maurice (Elizabeth Ruth) Bugg, and granddaughter, Megan Bugg.