Jim Burl Denton, 67, of Lenexa, KS passed away on September 14, 2016. Jim was born in Gainesville, MO and after time spent during his boyhood in Arkansas and California, the family relocated to Merriam.

Jim graduated from SM North in 1967, having lettered in football, diving, and track and field. The football team won State his senior year. He attended Emporia State on athletic scholarship, but the following spring enlisted in the Marine Corps.

He was Honor Man of his platoon, selected for Recon School, and then qualified for Force Recon. In Viet Nam as a Lance Corporal he earned 6 Purple Hearts (one of which was presented to him by Secretary McNamara) and the Bronze Star with Combat V. Convalescence took over a year.

He married Kay Wellborn on March 15, 1969 and started a long successful career in sales - Denton Fence, Andy Klein, Shawnee Mission Ford and Superior Chevrolet. He was one of the founders of Kansas City Dental Care, the area's first dental maintenance organization, and then 13 years in the courier arena, establishing Denton Delivery Service from 2009 to 2015. He was a Life Member of the Marine Corps League - Gen Larry Oppenheimer det. 1025 - as well as past Commandant and Senior Vice, and Life Member of VFW Post 7397, Lenexa.

Jim coached his sons in basketball and baseball, and became involved in umpiring with the USSSA. He won several regional and national awards and through that recognition was named Junior Olympic Commissioner from 1996 - 2002. The KC Star featured him in a 7 page spread in STAR Magazine on Aug. 26, 1990. His other passion was golf, and he played on courses all over the world, shooting a double eagle twice in his lifetime. He was also a world class Liars Poker player.

On December 3, 2008, he married Susann Riffe on Lido Beach in Sarasota, FL. They built the courier business together and traveled to Mexico, all over California, and returned to Lido Beach every year for their anniversary. They both agreed they had married "their best friend".

Jim was preceded in death by his first wife and his son Jeffrey. He is survived by his wife Susann, his son Jimmy and granddaughter Sophia Rose, his parents, Billie and Burl, his daughter in law Kersten and granddaughters Kaitlyn and Dakota, and brothers Mark (Becky), Ralph and Wylie (Barbara) and many nieces and nephews.

Services

There will be a visitation 2:00 ~ 3:00 PM, Saturday, September 17, 2016 - Jim's 68th birthday - at Amos Family Funeral Home 10901 Johnson Drive Shawnee, KS 66203. A celebration of life commences at 3:00 PM. A Fallen Marine ceremony and 21 gun salute will follow. Jim's ashes will be buried in Arlington National Cemetery and Susann will join him there. Susann will host a get together at her home after the service. Semper fi and Hoorah!

Contributions

In lieu of flowers, contributions can be made to:

The Oppenheimer MCL 1025

9550 Pflumm Road, Lenexa, KS 66215.