James Kriss

James Kriss, 81, of Colby, died November 22, 2014 at Presbyterian St. Luke’s Medical Center in Denver, CO. He was born November 23, 1932 in Thomas County, KS to John and Stella (Dryden) Kriss. He was a State Champion Wrestler in 1950. He served in the United States Army and was stationed in Japan during the Korean War. He married Sandra Dillman on November 13, 1965 in Colby. James started farming at the age of twelve and continued to farm for fifty nine years, managing Kriss Farms, until he retired at the age of 71. He spent eighteen years on the Colby City Council and then ten years as the Mayor. James served as chairman for the Bob Dole Election Committee of Thomas County. He was instrumental in getting the Kuska Collection to Colby, the Colby water tower and the building of the Colby Municipal Airport Terminal. He was a member of Kappa Sigma at KU and the Colby United Methodist Church. He was a great man, known for his hard work ethic. His family will remember him as their hero and the greatest Dad.

He was preceded in death by his parents and brother, Jack Kriss.

He is survived by his wife, Sandra; children, Grant Kriss, Denver, CO, Jama Kriss, Olathe, KS, Kevin (Cindi) Kriss, Colby, Karla (Michael Brouthers) Kriss, Denver, CO, James (Robin) Kriss, Denver, CO and Thomas (Michelle) Kriss, Emporia, KS; siblings, Jerald Kriss, Jay Kriss, Joel Kriss and Janet Schroeder; eleven grandchildren and one great grandchild.

Funeral Service will be at 11:00 a.m. Friday, November 28, 2014 at the Colby United Methodist Church with a visitation prior starting at 9:00 a.m. Memorials are suggested to the Colby American Legion, the Wounded Warriors Project or the Colby Municipal Airport Terminal, in care of Baalmann Mortuary, PO Box 391, Colby, KS 67701. Online condolences: www.baalmannmortuary.com.