H. James Bartels, 93, of Kansas City, passed away at 9:21 a.m., Friday, August 28th,2015 at Overland Park Regional Medical Center, Overland Park, Kansas.
Jim was born June 4, 1922 in Hutchinson, Kansas, to Adolf and Clara Heim Bartels. He graduated from Inman Kansas Rural High School in 1940 and Kansas State University in 1943, rushing his graduation in order to enlist in the Army during World War II. He returned to Kansas State to earn a second degree in Business Administration after the war. He was a proud alumni of Kansas State and member of Beta Theta Pi.
Jim served as a First Lieutenant in the 90th Chemical Mortar Battalion in Europe during World War II. While a member of the Army Reserve Corp he was called back to active duty and served in the Korean Conflict from 1950 to 1952. He received several decorations including the Bronze Star.
Jim’s First employed by Commerce Bank and Trust Company after World War II, Jim faithfully served there for 23 years cultivating many friendships and business relationships lasting throughout his life.
In 1970, Jim and two partners purchased the Farmers State Bank & Trust Co. in Hays, Kansas, which he managed until 1993 when he sold to Commerce Bank. During the many years he lived in western Kansas Jim took great pride being an active member of the Hays community which he referred to as the “Pearl on the Prairie.”
He is survived by the love of his life, Patricia Rice Bartels, Olathe, Kansas with whom he has celebrated sixty-three wonderful years of marriage. Additional survivors include his three daughters Jeannie (Tom) Slack of Leawood, Kansas, Janet (Doug) Euston of Leawood, Kansas and Jenny Bartels of Olathe, Kansas, five grandchildren, Ryan and Kelsey Slack, Dave, Jimmy, and Brian Euston, and sister Adolyn Bartels, Inman, Kansas. Jim was preceded in death by his parents, Adolf and Clara Bartels and a brother, Robert Bartels.
Golf was a lifelong passion and Jim was a member of Blue Hills Country Club in Kansas City since 1962 and enjoyed playing at Smoky Hills Country Club in Hays. He had a sincere love for all animals. Jim loved our great country and remained opinionated and politically active his entire life. He amazed us with his intense dedication and loyalty to his family and friends, his incredibly strong work ethic, and colorful life stories. We loved him dearly and will miss him.
The funeral service will be held at 10:30 a.m., on Wednesday, September 2, 2015 at St. Peter’s United Church of Christ, Inman, Kansas with Reverend Dennis Ureche officiating.
The final resting place will be at the North Inman Cemetery, Inman, Kansas. Military honors will be presented by members of the Veterans of Foreign Wars Post 2715 and American Legion Post 24, both of McPherson, Kansas.
A time of sharing will take place on Thursday, September 3, 2015 from 5 to 7 p.m., at the Smokey Hill Country Club, Hays, Kansas.
In lieu of flowers, memorials are suggested to the Dreiling-Schmidt Cancer Institute of Hays, Kansas or the or the Kansas State University Staley School in memory of Jim and they can be sent in care of the Glidden-Ediger Funeral Home; 222 West Euclid Street; McPherson, Kansas 67460.