James Bickell

James Albert Bickell,80, passed peacefully into the presence of God with his children on December 11, 2006. He was born to Whitman Earl and Anna Katherine Windsor Bickell on his father's birthday, December 5, 1926, in rural Topeka. James was the sixth of eight children. He was preceded in death by his parents, brothers Harry, Walt, Earl, Robert Bickell and sister Annetta Bickell Thompson. He was affectionately known to friends and family as Jim or Grandpa Jimmy. He was a patriot, skilled mechanic, craftsman, and loyal friend to many. He was a loving father and family was everything to him.

He made a public confession of his faith in the Lord Jesus Christ on November 2, 1991.

He attended Topeka schools before enlisting in the Army Air Corps, soon to become known as the United States Air Force. He was a parachute rigger at Fort Richardson, Alaska, who attained the rank of Sergeant. He received the World War II victory medal and the Army of Occupation Medal for serving in Okinawa, Japan. His love of country and pride in being an American defined his character. Jim was a member of Capitol Post No.1 of the American Legion and the Veterans of Foreign Wars, Carbondale, Kansas.

In the early fifties, he opened Jim's Auto Repair at 10th & Jewell in Topeka. Jim was a Union Pipefitter, Local #165, and worked on Jeffries and LaCygne Energy Centers. He also installed pneumatic controls for Johnson Controls. Jim did mechanical maintenance for the Shawnee County Courthouse and Crosby Brother's Department Store.

He is survived by two sons and two daughters, James, Topeka, Michael, Wichita, Vickie Lynch and husband Keith, Auburn, Jayme Burdiek and husband Edward, Topeka. A brother, Donald, Westminster, CA and sister, Patricia Seaman, Los Angeles, CA also survive. James was blessed with 15 grandchildren and 2 great-grandchildren. Angie Bickell, James Michael Bickell, Michelle Simoneau and husband Jeff, Angela Varney and husband Jake, Ashley, John and Brett Lynch, Christopher, Anna, Adam, Steven, John, Katie Bickell, Emily and Abigail Burdiek. His great-grandchildren are Michael Bickell and Ashlyn Simoneau.

Funeral services will be held at 1:00 p.m. on Friday, December 15, 2006 at Light of the World Christian Center. Burial will be at Rochester Cemetery. Mr. Bickell will lie in state at Penwell-Gabel Mid Town Chapel after 2:00 p.m. on Thursday and visitation will be from 6:30 to 8:00 p.m.

Memorial contributions may be made to the V.F.W. Post 11255, 422 Ridgeway Street, Carbondale, KS 66414 or the L.O.T.W. Children's Building Fund, 3301 SW Gage, Topeka, KS 66614.

To leave a special message for the family online, visit www.PenwellGabel.com