James W. Dennis

James W. Dennis, 94, retired grocery store co-owner passed away Thursday, July 24, 2025. Visitation with family will be 1:00 pm to 2:00 pm, with funeral service starting at 2:00 pm, both on Tuesday, July 29, 2025, at Downing & Lahey West Mortuary.

James was preceded in death by his wife, Elizabeth (Akers) Dennis; parents, James W. Dennis and Bertie (Clift) (Ruble) Dennis; five brothers Herbert, Sam, Ray, Bill and John Ruble; and sister, Ruby Willinger Gerstner. He is survived by son, Kenneth Dennis (Janet) of Dighton; daughters, Cindy Dennis (Susan) of Wichita, Debbie Rinehart (Stan) of Sublette, Diane Dennis (Mac) of Wichita; grandchildren, Lisa Rouse (Nick), Janae Biernacki (Tyler), Kristi Rinehart, Maggie Webber, Jamie Rinehart-Gaede (Mitchell), Breann Dennis; four great-granddaughters; four great-grandsons; sisters-in-law, nephews, nieces, and friends, too many to count.

Memorials have been established with Harry Hynes Memorial Hospice, 313 S. Market Wichita, Kansas 67202 and Kansas Humane Society, 3313 N Hillside St, Wichita, Kansas 67219.  

James W. Dennis was born July 14^th, 1931, in Claflin, Kansas. Jimmy (Jim) as he was called, was the youngest of his siblings. He began attending school in Claflin, Kansas. In high school he moved to western Kansas, living with his sister, Ruby, to attend and graduate from Kendall High School. This is where he met his wife to be Elizabeth (Beth) Akers. Jim graduated in 1951, and Elizabeth in 1952, they were married in 1953.  This was the beginning of a marriage that lasted for 66 years. Jim and Elizabeth began their family while running a grocery store in Claflin, Kansas. In 1967 they sold their store in Claflin and bought a store in Satanta, Kansas where they lived until they retired and eventually moved to Goddard, Kansas. 

Jim was an active participant during his lifetime in many areas. He served in the U.S. Marine Corps. He was active in both Claflin and Satanta serving as Mayor in both towns. He also served in many capacities in organizations such as Chamber of Commerce, Lions Club, American Legion and others. He was a fan of almost all sports. He played football, basketball, baseball and softball. He enjoyed golf and bowling and horse racing. He followed professional and college teams. For many years he would attend the NJCAA national basketball tournament in Hutchinson and see every minute of every game. He coached softball teams his daughters played on. He loved watching his granddaughters in all their activities.  Jim enjoyed watching his grandkids activities, even if he maybe didn’t know the rules (soccer). Attending grandparent’s activities with the grandchildren were always special. Other interests he shared with Beth was collecting Coca Cola antiques and merchandise. They also attended car shows with his 1934 Chevy Coupe bringing home several trophies. But the real enjoyment was the opportunity to make new friends at these events. Jim never met a stranger. He enjoyed meeting people. It didn’t take him long to make friends wherever he went. He liked people and people liked him. One of his greatest pleasures was storytelling to friends and family, sharing his lifetime of memories. He will be missed by many people beyond his family.

The service will be lived stream and available for viewing by clicking on the link below:

https://view.oneroomstreaming.com/index.php?data=MTc1MzQ3MTgxMzM3MzE5OSZvbmVyb29tLWFkbWluJmNvcHlfbGluaw==