In Memory Of
James M. Caplinger
1929
2015
James M. Caplinger
May 5, 1929 — June 28, 2015
James M. "Jim" Caplinger, 86, of Topeka, passed away Sunday, June 28, 2015.
He was born May 5, 1929 in Hutchinson, KS, the son of Jesse L. and Nellie (Smith) Caplinger. He was a 1947 graduate of Greensburg High School, Greensburg, Kansas. He attended Kansas State University and Washburn University receiving a BA Degree and Juris Doctorate of Law in 1953. He served as a Judge Advocate in the U.S. Air Force and upon discharge returned to Greensburg to practice law. He was elected Kiowa County Attorney in 1956.
In 1958, Governor George Docking appointed him as Securities Counsel and as Assistant General Counsel for the Kansas Corporation Commission and relocated to Topeka.
In late 1961 he returned to private practice in Topeka, establishing James M. Caplinger Chartered, specializing in public utility law. He helped found the State Independent Telephone Association (SITA) in 1961 and served as its Executive Manager for over 50 years. His firm represents independent telephone companies throughout the United States. In 1997 his many clients in the telephone industry established "The James M. Caplinger Chair on Administrative Law" at the Washburn Law School in Topeka, Kansas. His expertise in Telephone and Utility Law took him throughout the United States practicing before the Federal Communications Commission, Federal and State Courts and State Utility Commissions. Until his passing he continued to practice law with his son, James M. Caplinger, Jr.
He was a member of the Greensburg Masonic Lodge, Downtown Topeka Rotary Club, Kansas Bar Association, American Bar Association, Topeka Bar Association and many other associations.
Jim married Shirley Cook on September 28, 1979. She preceded him in death in 2006. Survivors include his three children, Sharon Keyes, Colorado Springs, CO, James M. (Pam) Caplinger, Jr. and Mark Caplinger, all of Topeka; seven grandchildren, Jennifer (Michael) Watkins, Josh Ramirez, Ashton Keyes, Christine Caplinger, Allison Caplinger, Jessica Caplinger and Kate Caplinger; and two brothers, Robert D. (Helen) Caplinger, Kansas City, MO and Billy M. (Helen) Caplinger, Santa Barbara, CA.
He was preceded in death by his parents and a brother, Ernest L. Caplinger.
A memorial ceremony will be held at 1 p.m., Tuesday, July 7, 2015 at the Penwell-Gabel Mid-Town Chapel, 1321 SW 10th Ave., Topeka. Private family inurnment will be at Penwell-Gabel Cemetery, Topeka.
In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to Downtown YMCA, 421 SW Van Buren St, Topeka, KS 66603 or to Northwest Kansas Technical College Endowment Association (to assist those interested in telecommunication technology), P.O. Box 668, Goodland, KS 67735.
To leave a special message for Jim's family, please visit the guestbook below.
He was born May 5, 1929 in Hutchinson, KS, the son of Jesse L. and Nellie (Smith) Caplinger. He was a 1947 graduate of Greensburg High School, Greensburg, Kansas. He attended Kansas State University and Washburn University receiving a BA Degree and Juris Doctorate of Law in 1953. He served as a Judge Advocate in the U.S. Air Force and upon discharge returned to Greensburg to practice law. He was elected Kiowa County Attorney in 1956.
In 1958, Governor George Docking appointed him as Securities Counsel and as Assistant General Counsel for the Kansas Corporation Commission and relocated to Topeka.
In late 1961 he returned to private practice in Topeka, establishing James M. Caplinger Chartered, specializing in public utility law. He helped found the State Independent Telephone Association (SITA) in 1961 and served as its Executive Manager for over 50 years. His firm represents independent telephone companies throughout the United States. In 1997 his many clients in the telephone industry established "The James M. Caplinger Chair on Administrative Law" at the Washburn Law School in Topeka, Kansas. His expertise in Telephone and Utility Law took him throughout the United States practicing before the Federal Communications Commission, Federal and State Courts and State Utility Commissions. Until his passing he continued to practice law with his son, James M. Caplinger, Jr.
He was a member of the Greensburg Masonic Lodge, Downtown Topeka Rotary Club, Kansas Bar Association, American Bar Association, Topeka Bar Association and many other associations.
Jim married Shirley Cook on September 28, 1979. She preceded him in death in 2006. Survivors include his three children, Sharon Keyes, Colorado Springs, CO, James M. (Pam) Caplinger, Jr. and Mark Caplinger, all of Topeka; seven grandchildren, Jennifer (Michael) Watkins, Josh Ramirez, Ashton Keyes, Christine Caplinger, Allison Caplinger, Jessica Caplinger and Kate Caplinger; and two brothers, Robert D. (Helen) Caplinger, Kansas City, MO and Billy M. (Helen) Caplinger, Santa Barbara, CA.
He was preceded in death by his parents and a brother, Ernest L. Caplinger.
A memorial ceremony will be held at 1 p.m., Tuesday, July 7, 2015 at the Penwell-Gabel Mid-Town Chapel, 1321 SW 10th Ave., Topeka. Private family inurnment will be at Penwell-Gabel Cemetery, Topeka.
In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to Downtown YMCA, 421 SW Van Buren St, Topeka, KS 66603 or to Northwest Kansas Technical College Endowment Association (to assist those interested in telecommunication technology), P.O. Box 668, Goodland, KS 67735.
To leave a special message for Jim's family, please visit the guestbook below.
To order memorial trees or send flowers to the family in memory of James M. Caplinger, please visit our flower store.
Service Schedule
Past Services
Memorial Service
Tuesday, July 7, 2015
Starts at 1:00 pm (Central time)
Penwell-Gabel - Mid-Town Chapel
Guestbook
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