James (Jim) W. Strother

James (Jim) W. Strother of Lansing passed away on August 11, 2016 at the age of 94. James was born on May 18, 1922 at Clarksburg, West Virginia to Fredrick Lambert and Mary Pearl (Nay) Strother. 

The family moved to the Texas Panhandle in 1926. James graduated from Stinett, Texas High School in 1941. SGT Strother served in the United States Army Air Force during World War II from November of 1942 to February of 1946. He was a C47 Cargo Airplane mechanic and flight engineer and flew many missions in the China, Burma, and India Theater of Operations. After being discharged from the service, he worked in the oil fields of Texas from 1946 until 1959. In May of 1959, he moved to Keyes, Oklahoma and worked for the United States Bureau of Mines, Helium Division. He retired from the Bureau of Mines in February of 1984. 

James was an avid CB Radio fan during the Citizen Band Radio craze of the 1970’s and 1980’s. He and his mother would provide a stopping place at their home for many truckers passing through on US 54 Highway. The truckers had a place to drink a cup of coffee and rest for awhile. He was also a great caregiver to his ailing mother and uncle, and finally to his first wife before her passing. James had a big heart and really cared for others. He will be missed by his many friends.

James married Vivian Marie Nelson on April 22, 1989. She passed away on December 5, 1995. He then married his childhood friends, Gloria Shultz-Cummings on June 22, 1996 at Larned at the home of her son, Barry Shultz. They first met at the age of 13. Gloria and James resided in Keyes until July of 2007 when they moved to Lansing and lived with his step-son and daughter-in-law until moving to Homestead of Leavenworth during 2014. Gloria passed away on April 9, 2015.

He was a member of the First Baptist Church of Keyes, Oklahoma.

James is survived by his step-son, Barry Shultz and wife Marsha of Lansing, two grandchildren, Jennifer Shultz of Crestview, Florida and Richard Shultz and wife Adri of Lawrence and their daughter Adelaide, Jim’s great grandchild.

Graveside service will be held at Maple Grove Cemetery in Dodge City on Thursday August 18, 2016 at 10:30 AM with Rev. Kirk Larson presiding. Visitation will be at Swaim Funeral Home, Dodge City on Wednesday August 17, 2016 from 3:00-5:00 PM with the family present. Memorials are suggested to the First Baptist Church of Keyes in care of the funeral home. Thoughts and memories may be shared in the online guest book at www.swaimfuneralhome.com.