James A. “Jim” Dryden, DDS, 84 years old and beloved father, husband, lifelong Sooner and friend to many, passed away peacefully on November 20th, 2024 after a lengthy battle with Alzheimer’s disease. He was born on December 31, 1939 in Tahlequah, Oklahoma to C. Alden Dryden and Zelma Scales Dryden.

After graduating from Tahlequah High School in 1958, he attended Northeastern State University in Tahlequah and graduated from the University of Missouri-Kansas City School of Dentistry in 1966.

Jim entered the United States Army Dental Corps in June 1966, training at Ft. Sam Houston and Ft. Wolters, both in TX, before serving his country with the 56th Medical Detachment of the 1st Cavalry Division in the Republic of South Vietnam in 1967 and 1968. He received the Army Commendation medal and Combat Medics Badge.

Following his discharge Jim finished his residency in Endodontics at UMKC in 1972. He was certified as a Diplomate of the American Board of Endodontics in 1978 and practiced in Joplin, MO until September 1993, later moving to Tulsa Oklahoma where he continued his career until 2000. After retiring from private practice, Jim embraced a second career teaching full time at UMKC School of Dentistry from 2000 to 2011. He was recognized as Clinical Instructor of the Year in 2001, and served as Chair of the Department of Endodontics from 2001-2011, sharing his expertise and mentoring another generation of students. After 2011 Jim returned to private practice until 2016.

Faith was a cornerstone of Jim’s life, and he travelled overseas on Christian Missions to China to provide dental care to those in need of it. He attended First Baptist Church in Joplin, where he served as a deacon, providing counsel, spiritual support and service to others in his community.

Jim was a private pilot and found great joy in flying, finding almost any excuse to take to the skies, often with family or friends by his side.

He is preceded in death by his parents C. Alden and Zelma, and his younger sister Judith Burnham. He is survived by his beloved wife Mary Margaret, sons James and his wife Cynthia of Albuquerque, NM, Daniel of Kansas City, MO, Steven of Sherman Oaks, CA and grandson, Henry of Albuquerque.

A memorial service will be held December 21, 2024, 2:00 PM at First Baptist Church, Joplin, Missouri.

Memorial contributions may be made to First Baptist Church, Joplin, or to the Alzheimer’s Association in care of Parker Mortuary.

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