James Mitten

James Jacob Mitten of Oakley departed this earthly home to join his beloved daughter Tami in heaven on January 29th, 2013. He was born in 1923 to Wayne and Eva Mitten, in a farmhouse southeast of Utica Kansas. He attended grade school in a one room country school near Utica, and in British Columbia Canada and Blaine Washington. He graduated from high school in Utica KS in 1942, and then enlisted in the army at Fort Lewis Washington. During World War II he served his country in South Africa and Italy. After being discharged in Mobil Alabama he moved back to Burlington Washington where he married Estelene Marie Hagans on December 20, 1945. His love of the trucking industry began here as he hauled fruit from Yakima Washington to the west coast. He and Estelene moved back to Utica Kansas where he owned and operated a grocery store and locker plant for 5 years. In 1953 they moved to WaKeeney where he started a livestock hauling business. The bright red and green Mitten “Cow Taxi’s” were recognized all across Kansas! In 1966 he moved to Oakley and purchased LW Swart and Breckinridge trucking and started Jim Mitten Trucking. This move also led to him purchasing the truck stop from Skelly Oil in 1967. Jim was always very proud that Mitten’s has been owned and operated by family for the last 46 years. He was always an avid lover of flying and owned five airplanes during his flying years. Golf was a hobby he always enjoyed. The family raised quarter horses for several years and he spent many hours traveling to AQHA horse shows with his daughter Tami. He was always so proud of all her accomplishments on the show circuit. He and “Este” we able to have many years together traveling in their motor homes loved the winters they spent with friends in south Texas. He served as president of the Kansas Motor Carriers Association, Chairman of the Livestock Division of Common Carriers, and president of the American Legion of Utica KS. He was honored to be chosen to travel to Washington DC and testify before the House of Representatives regarding humane treat of livestock. He was of member of the Logan County Shrine Club and the United Methodist Church.

He was preceded in death by daughter Tami and brothers Tom and Wayne Jr.

He is survived by his loving wife of 67 years, Estelene, daughter Toni and her husband Gary Johnson, son in law Larry Bley, grandsons Chris Johnson and Matt Mildenberger and his wife Misty, all of Oakley KS. Grandad , who always had a piece of candy in his pocket for them, will be greatly missed by great granddaughters MaKenzie and Mariah Mildenberger. They were the ones who always put a smile on his face in his later years in life! He is survived by a brother Jack of Sharon Springs, sister Mildred of San Francisco CA and sister Wanda of Mount Vernon WA.

Visitation will be 5-7pm on Friday, February 1, 2013 at Oakley United Methodist Church. Funeral services will be 10:30am on Saturday, February 2, 2013 at the church. In lieu of flowers memorials are suggested to Gove County Medical Center, Quinter KS or the United Methodist Church, Oakley in care of Baalmann mortuary, PO Box 204, Oakley KS, 67748. Condolences: www.baalmannmortuary.com