James Harper

James (Jim) Harper 82 was born on March 30, 1932 to Bryan (Cute) and Sarah (Sadie) Ramey Harper in Colby, Kansas. Jim passed away on Saturday evening, June 14, 2014 after a lengthy illness at the Prairie Senior Living Complex in Colby, Kansas. Jim grew up on the family farm north of Levant, Kansas. Jim loved the farm and his whole life he wanted to have his own cattle herd. He attended grade school at the Mirage Country School and then moved to Colby to attend Colby High School where he spent time playing sports, dating, dancing and having fun with his friends. Jim's love for traveling and his gift of conversation were developed at a young age. When Jim was a young child his grandpa Ramey would visit from California during the summer, with the family on the farm. Jim would ride back to California to keep him company and then returned home on the Greyhound Bus where he met many interesting people.

He met Janet Kreutzer and they were married on February 2, 1963. Two years later they had their first child Audrey, born on August 13, 1965 and four years later their son Mickey was born on February 7, 1969. In 1966, Jim opened the Rusty Bucket, the local entertainment spot for Colby. And the stories are still being told. Jim loved to travel and would plan a family vacation each year for his family. His work with the National Farmer's Organization and his trips with his wife and family lead him to nearly all 50 states, Canada and Mexico.

Jim was a hard worker throughout his life and he had many different jobs that challenged him in different ways. His favorite job was working for the National Farmer's Organization where he bought and sold cattle and collected dues all over the United States.

Jim loved people and everywhere he went he made friends. He loved all of the children and they loved him in return. He went to coffee every morning to socialize with his friends and travelers. He was a little league baseball coach and drove the school bus. The kids on the school bus were always greeted with a smile and words of encouragement for them each morning and afternoon.

Jim loved baseball and the New York Yankees. He played baseball most of his childhood and until he was 35 years old. He loved the Yankees and even named his son after one of his favorite players, Mickey Mantel.

Jim's had many great loves in his life, but his family and his grandchildren, he loved the most. He was always there for his grandkids and he would do anything for them. He loved big and had fun no matter what the situation. He always told Janet "If I died tomorrow I can truthfully say I did everything I wanted to do and I did it my way"!!!

He was preceded in death by his parents Cute and Sadie Harper and his brothers Duane (Buck) and Gerald (Gary) Harper.

He is survived by his wife Janet, of the home, daughter Audrey (David) Schoenberger, Ellis, Kansas and son Mick (Janice) of Castle Rock, Colorado and six grandchildren, Jenna and Natalie Schoenberger, Caley, Sarah, Nathan and Mary Harper.

Services will be Thursday, June 19 at 10:30 am at the Sacred Heart Catholic Church in Colby with a visitation on Wednesday, June 18 from 5-8:00 pm with a Rosary and sharing of Jim's life at 7 pm at Baalmann Mortuary, Colby. Memorials are suggested to Sacred Heart Catholic Church or PSLC Alzheimer’s Ward in care of Baalmann Mortuary, PO Box 391, Colby, KS 67748. Online condolences: www.baalmannmortuary.com