James T. Peda

James Timothy Peda was born on February 18, 1956, in Jamestown, ND, to Paul and Eunice Peda (née Ulrich). Jim was confirmed in the Lutheran faith on June 14, 1970, holding close the scripture 1 Peter 5:10-11: “And the God of all grace, who called you to his eternal glory in Christ, after you have suffered a little while, will himself restore you and make you strong, firm, and steadfast. To him be the power for ever and ever. Amen.”

Jim attended Our Savior Lutheran for elementary and middle school, graduated from Jamestown High School, and went on to the North Dakota State College of Science, earning a degree in Electrical Technology. Jim began his career as an electrician, later returning to school to earn his Bachelor of Science in Electrical Engineering from North Dakota State University (GO BISON). A proud member of the IBEW, Jim found great joy in mentoring others, readily sharing his vast knowledge and expertise.

Music and theater were constant companions in Jim’s life. During his time in Wahpeton, ND, he joined the Wildcat Singers, where he met Virginia (Gini) Walkup, the love of his life. Love at first sight, Gini made him forget all about his old flame, the “Pork Queen of North Dakota”. Jim and Gini married on April 29, 1978, at United Methodist in Breckenridge, MN. Together they shared adventures, from mud-running to hunting, and cherished memories singing across the Midwest with their groups—the Nutty Buddies Barbershop Quartet for Jim and the Sweet Adelines for Gini.

After receiving his degree from NDSU, Jim took a job at Black and Veatch in Overland Park, KS. Relocating around the same time, he remained close with his childhood friend Rod and his wife Trish, with each couple becoming godparents to the other’s firstborn. Jim and Gini became members of Mt. Olive Lutheran Church, where he was a faithful steward and servant of Christ for the remainder of his life. While he served the church in many ways, he took particular joy in participating and chairing the Board of Trustees, which he jokingly referred to as “scrubbing toilets for Jesus”. In Kansas, Jim had a full and happy life raising his two daughters, Jacqueline and Rebekah. All three became members of the Olathe Civic Band (Jim playing tuba) and the Mt. Olive choir, directed by Gini. Before he instilled a love of brass instruments in his daughters, he was also an active member of the Mt. Olive Band. It brought him great joy (and anguish to his pre-teen and teen daughters) to surprise various friends with the holiday joy of “Tuba Christmas”, a father-daughter brass trio typically accompanied by a tin of goodies baked by Gini and the girls.

Jim was also a gifted handyman with a passion for classic cars, lovingly caring for his own vintage Studebaker and Jaguar. Whether it was a car repair or lending a hand to friends, he never hesitated to offer his skills and time. Sundays often found him in a bowling league, distance running, or enjoying "Perry Mason" or “The Twilight Zone.” His faith and generosity were constants, guiding every action and relationship in his life. A proud “Girl Dad”, he championed his daughters' many interests, fostering a love for competition, curiosity in STEM, and a deep appreciation for diverse musical pursuits. Jim had many achievements in his life (a true renaissance man), but his greatest regret was not achieving his certification in auctioneering, a testament to his vibrant personality and love for life.

God, in His mercy, called Jim to begin his eternal life with Christ on November 5, 2024, graciously sparing him from life’s challenges. James Timothy Peda is preceded in death by his parents, Paul and Eunice; his brother, Arlon; mother-in-law Janice; and sister-in-law Angela. He leaves behind his beloved wife, Virginia (Overland Park, KS); daughters Jacqueline (Madison, WI) and Rebekah (Westwood, KS), brother Raymond (Fargo, ND), sister-in-law Bonnie Crilly; his five nephews (Dan, Kyle, Brad, Chad, Michael), two nieces (Melissa and Kari), father-in-law (John); cherished dog Luther, and granddogs Jolene, Mitzi, and Rotifer.

A gathering of family and friends for Jim will be held Monday, November 11, 2024 from 1:00 PM to 2:00 PM at Mt. Olive Lutheran Church, 9514 Perry Lane, Overland Park, Kansas 66212, followed by a memorial service at 2:00 PM. The service will also be available through livestream at this link: https://youtube.com/live/3qFxFm5wx_I?feature=share__;!!M2D_dUfSiN4E!KGTjLXZth35WPILimS7ejJ--rZIPKd7I_X-2R8ZzO00tPsRvFhNMk8IHCwmR7_RNTwY1-5wC2qtXe7VUo5_geYbPrtea-0U$