James Dobkins

James Dale Dobkins, 90, of Centralia, KS passed away peacefully Monday, September 22, 2008 at the Eastridge Care Home in Centralia, KS.

James was born July 11, 1918 in Lowell Kansas the youngest of three children to Hugh Dobkins and Fern Craig Dobkins. James graduated from high school in Riverton KS. He attended college and received his teaching certificate from Pittsburgh State University. His first teaching job was in Severy, KS. While in San Diego, Jim was drafted into the US Navy. He spent 27 months, serving in Guam where he was wounded in battle. He was married in 1939, to this union were born three sons. They later divorced. While in San Diego Jim worked at an aeronautics company where he built airplane frames. After getting out of the Navy Jim went back to college and received his Master's Degrees in Vocational Education and Soil Conservation from Kansas State University in Manhattan, KS.

While living in Manhattan Jim met Helen McClary, his neighbor. They were married in 1948. They had one daughter Debbie.

Jim taught school at Centralia High School and substitute taught in area schools for 52 years. He was very active in his church, the First Congregational United Church of Christ, where he served as a Sunday school teacher, Deacon and many other capacities. He also was active with the Centralia Boy Scouts Troop #79, Masonic Lodge AF&AM, Seneca Lodge #39, where he was a 32nd degree mason, Armstrong-Moyer American Legion Post #216, Future Farmers of America, National Rifle Association, Seneca Golf Club, and he was a Worthy Patron of the Order of the Eastern Star.
He is survived by his wife Helen Dobkins of Centralia, KS; three sons, James Dobkins of Redlands, CA, Robert Dobkins of Creswell, OR, and Richard Dobkins of Chico, CA; twelve grandchildren and twelve great grandchildren.

He was preceded in death by one daughter, Deborah Lampton who passed away December 15, 1987.

Funeral services will be Friday, September 26, 2008 at 10:30 AM at the First Congregational United Church of Christ in Centralia, KS. Pastor Deanna Lewis will conduct the services. Burial will be in the Centralia Cemetery.

There will be a visitation Thursday evening from 6:00 - 7:00 PM at the Hayes-Popkess Funeral Home in Centralia.

Memorials are being left to the First Congregational United Church of Christ or the Centralia Boy Scouts and may be sent in care of the funeral home.