James P. "Jim" Reilly

James P. "Jim" Reilly, 82, died Friday, August 11, 2023. Rosary will be at 6:30 pm, Thursday, August 17, 2023; Funeral Mass will be at 10:00 am, Friday, August 18, 2023, both at St. Vincent de Paul Catholic Church. Preceded in death by his wife, Sandra Lee (Gutru) Reilly; parents, Patrick and Margaret Reilly. Survived by his sons, Michael (Jaclyn) Reilly of Wichita, Patrick "Pat" (Angelique) Reilly of Andover; grandchildren, Dylan (Taylor) Reilly, Jason Reilly, Tayrn Reilly, Loren Reilly, Caitlin Reilly, Cameron Reilly; great-grandchildren, Caden and Oliver Reilly; brother, Lawrence "Larry" (Marceta) Reilly; sister, Marcela Holtz. Jim graduated from Hayden High School Topeka, KS in 1958 then attended Kansas State University, worked on a harvest crew in the plains states, and rode bareback broncs and bulls on the rodeo circuit. He joined the Air Force and served in Japan as a payroll clerk. He graduated from Washburn University in Topeka, KS and started his career with the IRS as special field agent for tax fraud and audits based in Topeka, KS. Jim met Sandy, who became the love of his life, who also worked for the IRS in Topeka, KS. They moved to Wichita, KS in 1981 with the IRS and then started his second career working with his father-in-law Bob Gutru at Grand Mesa Operating Company. In 1986 Jim formed Norseman Drilling with Ron Sinclair which over the years grew to four oil and gas drilling rigs. Jim also helped Bob Gutru and Ron Sinclair managing Grand Mesa Operating. In 2002 Jim sold Norseman Drilling and focused on Grand Mesa Operating in which his sons’ Patrick joined him in 2005 and Michael in 2012. Jim was part of Grand Mesa until his passing on August 11, 2023. Jim’s passions outside of his career included ranching and farming on his Cedar Lane and “Virgil” ranches both in the flint hills of Kansas. He also enjoyed traveling the globe with Sandy and their friends. Jim and Sandy spent the golden years “wintering” with friends and family in Surprise, AZ and Cabo San Lucas, Mexico from Christmas until the spring thaw in Kansas. Many summers were spent RV’ing with friends and they toured most of the US including a RV trip to Alaska. Jim was also an avid hunter and sportsman which included numerous trips to Alaska and Canada to hunt big game and fish. Finally, Jim and Sandy were both huge Kansas State fans and had season tickets since 1993 for both football and basketball and attended most Kansas State bowl games over the years.Jim and Sandy were generous with their charitable giving helping to support many organizations including Kansas State University, Quivira Council Boy Scouts, Kansas Humane Society along with many others in the Wichita area. Jim’s final charitable gift was to University of Saint Mary helping to establish a scholarship fund with his siblings Marcy Holtz and Larry Reilly in honor of their parents Patrick and Margaret Reilly. A memorial has been established with: University of Saint Mary Patrick Reilly and Margaret Hoferer Reilly C’34 Endowed Scholarship Fund, 4100 S. 4th St., Leavenworth, KS 66048.Services in care of Downing & Lahey Mortuary - East Chapel.

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