In Memory Of
James R. James
James R. James
James R. James was born July 2, 1926, in Fort Scott, Kansas, to Milton and Christina James, of Pleasanton. He attended elementary and secondary school in Pleasanton, and graduated from Washburn Municipal University with an A. B. degree in 1951. Washburn School of Law awarded him the degree Juris Doctor in 1953.
Jim's first job out of law school was an Assistant Reporter to the Kansas Supreme Court. After two years, he moved to the Supreme Court Clerk's office where he served as Deputy Clerk. In 1959, Jim left the Court for a brief stint as an attorney for the League of Kansas Municipalities. In 1961, the Supreme Court called on him to be Clerk of the Supreme Court of Kansas. From 1965 to 1979, Jim served Kansas as the first Judicial Administrator. It was from this position that Jim began to work for court reform in Kansas.
He resigned his Kansas post to become director of the Southeast Regional Office of the National Center for State Courts, was named vice president of the Midwestern Regional Office of the national center in 1989, and returned to Kansas in 1992 when he became a senior adviser to the national center.
Jim was a member of Westminster Presbyterian Church. He was a member of Lincoln Club of Topeka, Iris Club of Greater Kansas City, Prairie Land Depression Era Glass Club and was the author of a Civil War book, "To See the Elephant". In 1994 he received the Justice Award from the Kansas Supreme Court; he also received the Warren E. Burger Award from the National Center for State Courts.
Jim passed away Tuesday, November 14th, 2006. He is survived by his wife of 53 years, Roberta James, Topeka, son, Jay R. James, Auburn, daughter Amy Clayton, Kearney, MO, four grandchildren and four great grandchildren.
A celebration of his life will be at 11:30 a.m., Friday, November 17th at Westminster Presbyterian Church. Interment will be at Penwell-Gabel Cemetery & Mausoleum. He will lie in state after 1 p.m. today at Penwell-Gabel Mid Town Chapel where the family will receive friends from 6 to 8 p.m. Memorial contributions may be given to Westminster Presbyterian Church, 1275 S.W. Boswell, Topeka, Kansas 66604. "To leave a special message for the family online, visit www.PenwellGabel.com"
Jim's first job out of law school was an Assistant Reporter to the Kansas Supreme Court. After two years, he moved to the Supreme Court Clerk's office where he served as Deputy Clerk. In 1959, Jim left the Court for a brief stint as an attorney for the League of Kansas Municipalities. In 1961, the Supreme Court called on him to be Clerk of the Supreme Court of Kansas. From 1965 to 1979, Jim served Kansas as the first Judicial Administrator. It was from this position that Jim began to work for court reform in Kansas.
He resigned his Kansas post to become director of the Southeast Regional Office of the National Center for State Courts, was named vice president of the Midwestern Regional Office of the national center in 1989, and returned to Kansas in 1992 when he became a senior adviser to the national center.
Jim was a member of Westminster Presbyterian Church. He was a member of Lincoln Club of Topeka, Iris Club of Greater Kansas City, Prairie Land Depression Era Glass Club and was the author of a Civil War book, "To See the Elephant". In 1994 he received the Justice Award from the Kansas Supreme Court; he also received the Warren E. Burger Award from the National Center for State Courts.
Jim passed away Tuesday, November 14th, 2006. He is survived by his wife of 53 years, Roberta James, Topeka, son, Jay R. James, Auburn, daughter Amy Clayton, Kearney, MO, four grandchildren and four great grandchildren.
A celebration of his life will be at 11:30 a.m., Friday, November 17th at Westminster Presbyterian Church. Interment will be at Penwell-Gabel Cemetery & Mausoleum. He will lie in state after 1 p.m. today at Penwell-Gabel Mid Town Chapel where the family will receive friends from 6 to 8 p.m. Memorial contributions may be given to Westminster Presbyterian Church, 1275 S.W. Boswell, Topeka, Kansas 66604. "To leave a special message for the family online, visit www.PenwellGabel.com"
To order memorial trees or send flowers to the family in memory of James R. James, please visit our flower store.
Service Schedule
Past Services
Visitation
Thursday, November 16, 2006
6:00 - 8:00 pm (Central time)
Penwell-Gabel - Mid-Town Chapel
Service
Friday, November 17, 2006
Starts at 11:30 am (Central time)
Westminster Presbyterian Church
Guestbook
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