James T. Harshbarger

Harshbarger, James T., 83, died Friday, February 21, 2014. Viewing will be at 9 A.M.; Funeral Service will be at 10:00 A.M., both Monday, February 24, 2014, at Pathway Church. Born September 16, 1930 in Milton,West Virginia. Married to Beverly J. Conner, April 3, 1954, in Kansas City, MO. They had two children, Steven and Jennifer. Served in the army and sent to Japan during that service. Attended U.S. Trade School on the GI Bill in Kansas City, MO, and after graduation the family moved to Wichita, Kansas in 1958. He opened a Texaco Service Station at 9th and Grove. From there he had several stations at different locations and won several awards from Texaco. After an armed robbery in which a good friend (who was his employee) was killed, he went to work for United Beechcraft, earned his AP license and also learned to fly. In 1973 he opened a Sinclair Station at Tyler and Central, then bought a Texaco Station at 13th Sheridan which he later sold and opened a garage at Waterman Lulu. He retired from there in 1992. He was a member of Pathway Church (Westlink Christian Church) since 1965. He never forgot his West Virginia roots and loved the West Virginia hills. The family went back to visit as often as possible. He had many Harshbarger (father was Tim) and Chapman (mother was Ruby) relatives living there. He is survived by his wife, Beverly; son, Steven (Connie) Harshbarger; daughter, Jennifer (Carl) Brown; and daughter-in-law, Dot Harshbarger; plus grandchildren, Jason (Wynter), Alicia (Brian), Crystal (Aaron), Casey (Jordan), Mindy, Lauren, Tony, Tim, Daniel, Matthew; and 11 great-grandchildren. He was preceded in death by son, Dale Harshbarger. Memorials have been established with: Classical School of Wichita, 6355 Willowbrook St., Wichita, KS 67218; Pathway Church, 2001 N. Maize Rd., Wichita, KS 67212. Downing Lahey West Mortuary.