James Allen Bethel, 81, of Shawnee, KS, passed away Monday June 21, 2021. He was born on May 20, 1940, in Russellville AR to Jack and Rebecca Bethel.
Jim served in the US Army and in the Alaska Ski Patrol. Jim worked construction as a young man and traveled to almost every state and even lived in Panama. Jim later moved to Kansas City and started his own business, Siding Sales and Repair Company which worked and ran until his retirement.
Jim was an avid outdoorsman, archer and hunter. He shot his bow every single night until he could no longer pull it just a few years ago. He taught many young and old, male and female, family and adopted family and friends his expertise in archery and loved every moment of it, though what he was pouring into them was life. He was proud of the trophy bucks that hung on his wall and would tell you how many he had hunted and killed with his bow throughout his life remembering them each and every one. Jim also loved horses and owned and rode many. He was an amazing dancer who won many country western dance contests.
Jim was an amazing father and friend, but BIGGER. There aren’t words to describe the unconditional love, acceptance, forgiveness and hope he offered not only his own kids and family, but many others he met who he took under his wing. He is the rock that never faltered. He is more than a person; he is a home. A home for his family, and a home for the broken and lost. His kindness and uniqueness are unmatched. He never lost hope in people and he never lost hope in life.
Life with Jim was a wild ride. You might see horses in the backyard (or the house a time or two). Dirt bike tracks around the yard, hunting clothes hanging all over the bushes, special rocks (and lots of other things) picked up and brought home, deer hanging in the garage, ducks or turtles in the backyard pool, all the doors open in winter for “fresh air”. He loved everything and never thought twice about what some might consider unusual.
Though he declined over the years, he believed even until the last days he was able to speak he would get well. Many times, he would go to bed at night saying, “I hope I’m over this stuff tomorrow”. What an inspiration he is.
Jim is preceded in death by his parents Jack and Rebecca and his daughter Carrie Bethel. He is survived by his daughter, Kimberly Bethel, his son James Bethel, grandson Anthony Vaughan and granddaughters Amanda Vaughan, McKinley Bethel, Allie Bethel and Ashlyn Bethel.
Visitation will be held on Friday, June 25, at Amos Family Funeral Home from 10-11 AM. A graveside service will be held at Pleasant View Cemetery shortly after.
Visitation
Start Date: June 25, 2021, 10:00 am
End Date: June 25, 2021, 11:00 am
Amos Family Funeral Home
10901 Johnson Dr.
Shawnee, KS 66203
Phone: 913-631-5566
Graveside Service
Start Date: June 25, 2021, 11:15 am
End Date: June 25, 2021, 12:00 am
Pleasant View Cemetery
6100 Quivira Road
Shawnee, KS 66203
Phone: 816-726-5285
Final Resting Place
Pleasant View Cemetery
-
Oskaloosa, KS 66066
Jim served in the US Army and in the Alaska Ski Patrol. Jim worked construction as a young man and traveled to almost every state and even lived in Panama. Jim later moved to Kansas City and started his own business, Siding Sales and Repair Company which worked and ran until his retirement.
Jim was an avid outdoorsman, archer and hunter. He shot his bow every single night until he could no longer pull it just a few years ago. He taught many young and old, male and female, family and adopted family and friends his expertise in archery and loved every moment of it, though what he was pouring into them was life. He was proud of the trophy bucks that hung on his wall and would tell you how many he had hunted and killed with his bow throughout his life remembering them each and every one. Jim also loved horses and owned and rode many. He was an amazing dancer who won many country western dance contests.
Jim was an amazing father and friend, but BIGGER. There aren’t words to describe the unconditional love, acceptance, forgiveness and hope he offered not only his own kids and family, but many others he met who he took under his wing. He is the rock that never faltered. He is more than a person; he is a home. A home for his family, and a home for the broken and lost. His kindness and uniqueness are unmatched. He never lost hope in people and he never lost hope in life.
Life with Jim was a wild ride. You might see horses in the backyard (or the house a time or two). Dirt bike tracks around the yard, hunting clothes hanging all over the bushes, special rocks (and lots of other things) picked up and brought home, deer hanging in the garage, ducks or turtles in the backyard pool, all the doors open in winter for “fresh air”. He loved everything and never thought twice about what some might consider unusual.
Though he declined over the years, he believed even until the last days he was able to speak he would get well. Many times, he would go to bed at night saying, “I hope I’m over this stuff tomorrow”. What an inspiration he is.
Jim is preceded in death by his parents Jack and Rebecca and his daughter Carrie Bethel. He is survived by his daughter, Kimberly Bethel, his son James Bethel, grandson Anthony Vaughan and granddaughters Amanda Vaughan, McKinley Bethel, Allie Bethel and Ashlyn Bethel.
Visitation will be held on Friday, June 25, at Amos Family Funeral Home from 10-11 AM. A graveside service will be held at Pleasant View Cemetery shortly after.
Events
Visitation
Start Date: June 25, 2021, 10:00 am
End Date: June 25, 2021, 11:00 am
Amos Family Funeral Home
10901 Johnson Dr.
Shawnee, KS 66203
Phone: 913-631-5566
Graveside Service
Start Date: June 25, 2021, 11:15 am
End Date: June 25, 2021, 12:00 am
Pleasant View Cemetery
6100 Quivira Road
Shawnee, KS 66203
Phone: 816-726-5285
Final Resting Place
Pleasant View Cemetery
-
Oskaloosa, KS 66066
Guestbook
Visits: 2
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