(KAIR)--A teacher, a professional clown, and a musician. Those are several of the skills of James Babcock, who taught in local area schools through the years, that are being remembered.

According to an obituary from the Chapel Oaks Funeral Home, in Hiawatha, Babcock, informally known as “Jim,” died April 14 of natural causes. He was 72-years old, and residing in rural Robinson.

According to the obituary, Babcock taught preschool, elementary, and high school students, having worked locally at such schools as Maur Hill-Mount Academy, in Atchison, as well as Horton High School, Horton Elementary School, and Wolf River Child Care Center.

He was teaching 5th grade in the Shawnee Mission School District at the time of his retirement in 2012.

Among his survivors are his wife, Pam, and four children.

Babcock will be laid to rest Thursday, with services to be held that afternoon at Hiawatha's Chapel Oaks Funeral Home. Visitation will be at 3:00, followed by the service at 4:00.