James "Jim" Ray Deaver

James “Jim” Ray Deaver passed away at his second home in Tucson, Arizona on Sunday, December 3, 2023.

Jim was born to Ray and Margaret Mary (Dandliker) Deaver at Saint Anthony Hospital in Sabetha, Kansas.  He was baptized and confirmed in his Catholic faith at Sacred Heart Catholic Church in Sabetha.  He enjoyed participating in church activities during his youth.

Jim graduated from Sabetha High School in 1960.  During his adolescence he played trumpet with the band, participated in Junior and Senior Athletics – defensive positions with the Sabetha Bluejays football team was his favorite.  He also loved his activities in Boy Scouts and 4H.

After his formative school years, Jim went on to Pittsburg State University in Pittsburg, Kansas for two years.  He then transferred to Washburn University in Topeka, Kansas, graduating with his Bachelor of Business Administration and a minor in Mathematics.

Jim chased, charmed, and then convinced his wife, Patti, to marry him in 1964.  They were married for 59 years.  They had three children, nine grandchildren, and five great-grandchildren.  Family was truly Jim’s joy; his heart seemed to grow larger with every addition to the family.

Standard Oil of Indiana recruited Jim into their Marketing division; he had many roles in his career from Territory Manger, Assistant District Manager, and then to Certicare Franchise Manager.  Throughout his 35-year tenure, Standard Oil became Amoco Oil, which then it merged with British Petroleum prior to Jim’s retirement.  Jim had a talent for building strong relationships with his co-workers and his Amoco family.

In 2001, Jim retired and convinced Patti to move to Arizona to adopt the snowbird life.  Jim and Patti built a large community of friends who became their Tucson family.  Jim was convinced he would use his retirement to improve his golf game.  He spent three days a week golfing with his buddies, the “Dawgs” at the Tucson National Golf Course.  Despite never shooting a hole in one, he did win a team pro-am tournament.  On that day, he forever remembered carrying their pro golfer to his win.  Besides being raised in Sabetha, Tucson was the longest length of time he and Patti lived in one place.

Jim and Patti purchased the Deaver Family homestead and farm.  They lived in Sabetha part-time during retirement.  One of his proudest moments was when he and Patti were awarded the Farm Bureau Century Farm recognition because their farm was founded by Jim’s great-grandfather in 1880.

Many may not remember that Jim attained his Hot Air Balloon Pilot License and flew in both Kansas and Minnesota.   He was also a devoted Kansas State University Wildcat and Kansas City Chiefs fan.  His favorite videos to show were highlights of Darren Sproles evading defensive players during his college career.  EMAW!

Jim wasn’t always on the golf course.  He also hunted and worked on his family farm during the summer.  In the last years of his life, he was convinced that fishing would be his next full-time hobby.  Throughout life, he created many memories with his family traveling to Northern Minnesota in search of the biggest catch.  He voyaged to the Boundary Waters Canoe Area several times and traveled in his final years on new adventures.  Jim and Patti were able to journey to Alaska, Hawaii, Oregon, Australia, Ireland, and Northeastern Canada.  His final family vacation was in August of this year.  He caught his 23-inch walleye on that final boat trip in Ely, Minnesota.  All of his children, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren were able to join him on the final trip of a lifetime.  How he loved his family coming together as one – it was very precious to him!

So, Jim, soar with God, the Eagles, and Rest in Peace.

Jim was preceded in death by his parents and his sister, Valerie Deaver.

Jim is survived by his loving wife, Patti; his three children, Steven (Nancy) Deaver of Topeka Kansas, Melissa (Joseph) Capaul of Elk River, Minnesota, and Jennifer (Jeremy) German of Lakeville, Minnesota; his nine grandchildren, Benjamin (Ashley) Deaver, Jessica (Joseph) Kreft, Kimberly Deaver, Derek Filas-Deaver, Brayden Filas, Olivia Filas, Leland German, Stella German, and Alysen Capaul LaDuke; his five great-grandchildren, Adeline, Isabella, Nina, Cameron, and Theodore; and his three siblings, Shirley Wenger, Mary (Albert) Maduska, and Joan (Ted) Remmers.

Mass of Christian Burial will be help on Saturday, December 16, 2023, at 10:00 a.m. at the Sacred Heart Catholic Church in Sabetha, Kansas.  A visitation will be held on Friday, December 15, 2023, from 6:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. at the Popkess Mortuary in Sabetha, with a rosary prayed at 7:00 p.m.  Interment will be made in the Sabetha Cemetery in Sabetha.  In lieu of flowers, the family prefers memorial donations to be made to the Ray and Margaret Deaver Scholarship Fund supporting college students with a focus on agriculture.  Contributions to the fund can be made with the Greater Sabetha Community Foundation at https://www.sabethafoundation.org/make-a-donation.cfm?fid=1702. 

With love, faith, and light,

The Deaver Family