James was born in Pike County, Missouri on January 30, 1939, the son of Herbert and Velma
Jessup Redhage and they preceded him in death. James was raised and lived in the Bowling Green
area all of his life where he graduated from Bowling Green High School in 1956. He then furthered
his education graduating from Culver Stockton College with a degree in Business Administration.
He worked for Carnation Milk Company for a short time before beginning with Abel Oil Company in
October of 1962. Mr. Redhage held several positions through his 45 years of service to the
company including bookkeeping, operations and general manager before being named President of
Abel Oil Company in December of 1986, a position he currently held. James enjoyed outdoor
activities like fishing, camping and gardening. He also enjoyed going to air shows and had a license
as an amateur radio operator which he enjoyed. James loved animals of all kinds and was very
supportive of organizations that cared for animals. He especially loved his dogs Red and Pepper
and is survived by his faithful companion Pepper II. He is also survived by his family at Abel Oil Co.,
several cousins and many friends.
In Memory of James H. Redhage
Reminiscing with Ed Miller
When I think of Jim these words come to mind;
Integrity
Mentor and Leader
Humbleness and Honesty
Neatness and Order
Humanitarian and Kindness to animals
Jim was all of the above and still he possessed a unique sense of humor.
A typical Monday morning at Abel Oil Co., it was customary for Jim to conduct an office business
meeting. That meeting always began with donation requests. Charity and civic concerns were at
the top of the list. Jim always wanted money to be disbursed where it would help the most. Jim was
always appreciative of company employees who were involved with civic organizations, charity work,
floats, parades, rodeos and many other events. He always took note when an employee was
recognized by the community for a job well done. Jim always took pride when one of our stores was
selected as landscaping or lawn of the month by their respective communities.
Jim was always there to lead us through the fires, floods, unforeseen accidents at our stores and
the passing others who meant so very much to Abel Oil Company. Jim never used the words I or me
when the company received awards for excellence from Shell or anyone else; He would simply say
can we do it again. He kept model replicas of airplanes, trains trucks and other items of promotions
of the past. Jim kept pictures of various trains and enjoyed reading and speaking about their
history.
Jim lived a solitary life but kept busy reading, gardening and caring for the wild creatures visiting his
year. He loved and cared for his pet dogs. They were his partners at home. In Jim’s office you
would see pictures of his dogs, of the squirrels, birds and deer feeding in his yard.
Integrity and leadership were two of Jim’s greatest attributes. When you walked into his office
without a word being spoken you immediately knew who was in charge. Jim was very humble about
his title and responsibility; but was ever so firm in his commitment to fulfill them both.
Jim always had a keen eye for things we would often overlook at the stores. He noticed the ceiling,
cooler and canopy lights which were burned out or not working. Weeds in the landscaping or trees
with bag worms. He kept his office immaculate; always vacuuming the floors, cleaning the doors and
taking out the trash.
You see even though Jim H Redhage was president of Abel Oil Company there was no job that he
felt he was too good for.
Jim thank you for making Abel Oil Company a successful business
THANKS FOR THE MEMORIES!!
Click here to submit your memory of Jim
Jessup Redhage and they preceded him in death. James was raised and lived in the Bowling Green
area all of his life where he graduated from Bowling Green High School in 1956. He then furthered
his education graduating from Culver Stockton College with a degree in Business Administration.
He worked for Carnation Milk Company for a short time before beginning with Abel Oil Company in
October of 1962. Mr. Redhage held several positions through his 45 years of service to the
company including bookkeeping, operations and general manager before being named President of
Abel Oil Company in December of 1986, a position he currently held. James enjoyed outdoor
activities like fishing, camping and gardening. He also enjoyed going to air shows and had a license
as an amateur radio operator which he enjoyed. James loved animals of all kinds and was very
supportive of organizations that cared for animals. He especially loved his dogs Red and Pepper
and is survived by his faithful companion Pepper II. He is also survived by his family at Abel Oil Co.,
several cousins and many friends.
In Memory of James H. Redhage
Reminiscing with Ed Miller
When I think of Jim these words come to mind;
Integrity
Mentor and Leader
Humbleness and Honesty
Neatness and Order
Humanitarian and Kindness to animals
Jim was all of the above and still he possessed a unique sense of humor.
A typical Monday morning at Abel Oil Co., it was customary for Jim to conduct an office business
meeting. That meeting always began with donation requests. Charity and civic concerns were at
the top of the list. Jim always wanted money to be disbursed where it would help the most. Jim was
always appreciative of company employees who were involved with civic organizations, charity work,
floats, parades, rodeos and many other events. He always took note when an employee was
recognized by the community for a job well done. Jim always took pride when one of our stores was
selected as landscaping or lawn of the month by their respective communities.
Jim was always there to lead us through the fires, floods, unforeseen accidents at our stores and
the passing others who meant so very much to Abel Oil Company. Jim never used the words I or me
when the company received awards for excellence from Shell or anyone else; He would simply say
can we do it again. He kept model replicas of airplanes, trains trucks and other items of promotions
of the past. Jim kept pictures of various trains and enjoyed reading and speaking about their
history.
Jim lived a solitary life but kept busy reading, gardening and caring for the wild creatures visiting his
year. He loved and cared for his pet dogs. They were his partners at home. In Jim’s office you
would see pictures of his dogs, of the squirrels, birds and deer feeding in his yard.
Integrity and leadership were two of Jim’s greatest attributes. When you walked into his office
without a word being spoken you immediately knew who was in charge. Jim was very humble about
his title and responsibility; but was ever so firm in his commitment to fulfill them both.
Jim always had a keen eye for things we would often overlook at the stores. He noticed the ceiling,
cooler and canopy lights which were burned out or not working. Weeds in the landscaping or trees
with bag worms. He kept his office immaculate; always vacuuming the floors, cleaning the doors and
taking out the trash.
You see even though Jim H Redhage was president of Abel Oil Company there was no job that he
felt he was too good for.
Jim thank you for making Abel Oil Company a successful business
THANKS FOR THE MEMORIES!!
Click here to submit your memory of Jim
Diane Todd (Abel's Office) - Jim was very soft spoken and kind. However, when Jim
spoke he was heard and with the utmost respect. I feel very fortunate to have had the
opportunity to work with Jim, but most of all I appreciate that I had the chance to know
him as a person. Jim had a kindness for animals and nature that will never be
forgotten. What a wonderful world it would be if more people were like Jim.
spoke he was heard and with the utmost respect. I feel very fortunate to have had the
opportunity to work with Jim, but most of all I appreciate that I had the chance to know
him as a person. Jim had a kindness for animals and nature that will never be
forgotten. What a wonderful world it would be if more people were like Jim.
IN MEMORY OF JAMES H REDHAGE January 30,1939 - November 14,2008 "What a wonderful world it would be if more people were like Jim" |
| MEMORIES,STORIES AND COMMENTS SHARED BY FAMILY, CO-WORKERS AND FRIENDS |
 |  |  |  |
Scroll to bottom to see more pictures:
DAVID CADWALLADER (Abel's Office) - A KIND OF FUNNY STORY ABOUT JIM. EVEN
THOUGH HE REALLY LIKED KIDS, THEY MADE HIM NERVOUS. I HAD MY 2 YEAR SON
BRENDAN WHO IS NOW 17 GO INTO HIS OFFICE AS I STOOD BACK AND LISTENED.
MY SON REALLY LIKED ALL THE SHELL TRAINS, CARS AND TRUCKS JIM HAD IN HIS
OFFICE. I COULD HEAR JIM TALKING TO HIM, BUT COULD NOT MAKE OUT WHAT HE
WAS SAYING. THEN FINALLY, IN A LITTLE LOUDER VOICE JIM SAID GO AHEAD AND
TAKE ANY OF THEM YOU WANT. MY SON COMES WALKING OUT OF JIM’S OFFICE
WITH A SMALL MODEL OF A SHELL STATION. I TOOK THE MODEL FROM HIM,
WENT IN TO JIMS OFFICE, AND TOLD HIM MY SON HAD THE STATION. JIM SMILED
AND SAID, IT WAS THE ONLY WAY I COULD GET HIM TO LEAVE. I WILL SURE MISS
THAT FUNNY SIDE OF JIM.
THOUGH HE REALLY LIKED KIDS, THEY MADE HIM NERVOUS. I HAD MY 2 YEAR SON
BRENDAN WHO IS NOW 17 GO INTO HIS OFFICE AS I STOOD BACK AND LISTENED.
MY SON REALLY LIKED ALL THE SHELL TRAINS, CARS AND TRUCKS JIM HAD IN HIS
OFFICE. I COULD HEAR JIM TALKING TO HIM, BUT COULD NOT MAKE OUT WHAT HE
WAS SAYING. THEN FINALLY, IN A LITTLE LOUDER VOICE JIM SAID GO AHEAD AND
TAKE ANY OF THEM YOU WANT. MY SON COMES WALKING OUT OF JIM’S OFFICE
WITH A SMALL MODEL OF A SHELL STATION. I TOOK THE MODEL FROM HIM,
WENT IN TO JIMS OFFICE, AND TOLD HIM MY SON HAD THE STATION. JIM SMILED
AND SAID, IT WAS THE ONLY WAY I COULD GET HIM TO LEAVE. I WILL SURE MISS
THAT FUNNY SIDE OF JIM.
John Koen (Shell Rep) – Although Jim did not stutter he had cadenced voice that I will
always remember. Twenty years ago, when I first became the Shell Representative for
Abel Oil Company I recall a story that will always bring a smile to my face. I had only
been Abel Oil Companies rep for about a month. Shell had a promotion going on with
“Looney Tunes”. Shell always had competitions to see which rep’s territory would
have the highest volume on promoted items. My territory needed to sell four more
cases to beat the Michigan territory. I explained the situation to Jim and ask for his
help. Jim replied, “Well John we are pretty well fixed for Looney Tunes." I asked Jim
how the Looney Tune Road Runner figurine was doing that I had given him on my last
visit to his office. Jim said: “Well John he will not stand up, he keeps falling over. I
replied does he fall forward or backward." Jim said: "He falls forward and lands on his
beak." I said "Jim I have one and it keeps falling backward, maybe we could link the two
together and they will stand up straight." Jim replied without any hesitation in his
cadenced voice: "Well, John send me four more cases." Five days later, I received a
note from the desk of Jim Redhage: Dear John since we last talked we have improved
on our Looney Tune situation and we will need more POS material.
I have many fond memories of Jim. Thanks for the memories. I miss you very much!
John.
always remember. Twenty years ago, when I first became the Shell Representative for
Abel Oil Company I recall a story that will always bring a smile to my face. I had only
been Abel Oil Companies rep for about a month. Shell had a promotion going on with
“Looney Tunes”. Shell always had competitions to see which rep’s territory would
have the highest volume on promoted items. My territory needed to sell four more
cases to beat the Michigan territory. I explained the situation to Jim and ask for his
help. Jim replied, “Well John we are pretty well fixed for Looney Tunes." I asked Jim
how the Looney Tune Road Runner figurine was doing that I had given him on my last
visit to his office. Jim said: “Well John he will not stand up, he keeps falling over. I
replied does he fall forward or backward." Jim said: "He falls forward and lands on his
beak." I said "Jim I have one and it keeps falling backward, maybe we could link the two
together and they will stand up straight." Jim replied without any hesitation in his
cadenced voice: "Well, John send me four more cases." Five days later, I received a
note from the desk of Jim Redhage: Dear John since we last talked we have improved
on our Looney Tune situation and we will need more POS material.
I have many fond memories of Jim. Thanks for the memories. I miss you very much!
John.
Carol Reading (Hannibal Store) - I am one of the old timers with Abel’s, 25 years! At
the time I interviewed, Jim was doing the hiring. I started working in Bowling Green and
since Jim lived in rural Bowling Green, I had the opportunity to see him in the store
frequently. On Saturdays, he would bring Red along so I got visit with him too. I
always found Jim to be completely fair and honest. You could always rely on him to
see that all problems were quickly taken care of. Abel Oil Company grew and
prospered under Jim’s leadership. He led us in such a way that I always felt Abel’s was
my work family. When I went to visit Jim in intensive care the nurse asked if I was family
and I said no, but actually, yes I am. I am part of his work family. I think Jim treasured
his work family as much as we all treasured him. I am so lucky to have known him and
worked with him.
the time I interviewed, Jim was doing the hiring. I started working in Bowling Green and
since Jim lived in rural Bowling Green, I had the opportunity to see him in the store
frequently. On Saturdays, he would bring Red along so I got visit with him too. I
always found Jim to be completely fair and honest. You could always rely on him to
see that all problems were quickly taken care of. Abel Oil Company grew and
prospered under Jim’s leadership. He led us in such a way that I always felt Abel’s was
my work family. When I went to visit Jim in intensive care the nurse asked if I was family
and I said no, but actually, yes I am. I am part of his work family. I think Jim treasured
his work family as much as we all treasured him. I am so lucky to have known him and
worked with him.