James M. “Jim” Jones, 78, of Wathena, Kansas passed away Saturday, May 23, 2026, at his home after a long battle with cancer.
Jim was born to Ralph and Alberta (Rainwater) Jones on August 17, 1947, the second oldest of five, in Bendena, Kansas.
He was a 20 year Vietnam veteran in the U.S. Air Force. After retiring from serving his country, he went to work for TWA and American Airlines until 2010. Then he enjoyed being by himself (away from his wife) driving trucks of various sizes around the United States.
He was a lifetime member of the VFW Post #5531 and the American Legion Post #161 in Wathena. He was also a life member of St. John’s Lutheran Church, Bendena, Kansas.
Jim was always a horse person rode many of them in his life, the last one was his horse Dandy. Then he went from real horses to metal horses, actually, hogs, as he rode Harley’s for a good portion of his life. The last few years, he ‘tinkered” in his big garage and on his 1950 Ford pickup. He loved talking to his sons, relatives, and neighbors with a beer in his hand.
Jim married Vivian Kline on August 24, 1968, at the St. Joseph’s Catholic Church, Wathena, Kansas. When asked on their 50th wedding anniversary if he wanted to renew his vows, he told everyone he didn’t want to do it the first time, let alone a second!!! Viv survives of the home.
Additional survivors are sons, Douglas (Robyn) and Patrick (Heather); grandsons, Riley and Cooper (Izzy); granddaughters, Emily and Chloe, great grandson, Liam; 2 step great grandsons, Zayden and Zakiah; sister, Mary Jane Jobe; in laws, Sue Jones, Mike Atkins, Greg and Shirley Kline, Jennifer and J. R. Juhl, Brenda and Don Kirkland, Jim and Kim Kline, Stephanie Clark and David Freeman, nieces and nephews and adopted son, Noe Lopez.
He was preceded in death by his parents, in law, Charlie and Shirley Kline, sister, Norma Jean Atkins, brothers, Jerry and Bill, sisters-in-law, Kathy Freeman and Stacy Stains.
Funeral Service: 10:00 A.M. Monday, June 1, 2026.
At the Harman-Rohde Funeral Home in Wathena, Kansas.
Visitation: 6-8 P.M. Sunday evening at the funeral home. Friends may call after 12 noon Sunday.
Burial: Mount Calvary Cemetery, Wathena, Kansas.
Memorials: St. Jude’s Children Hospital.
www.harmanrohde.com
