James "Jim" Leroy Neihart

Jim would often enjoy telling stories about growing up in Galena during the depression. Even though his family had very little money, Jim would say he had a wonderful childhood and had everything he needed. Jim was creative and musically talented. He participated in band and choral groups and was president of his Galena High School class of 1946. He attended Pittsburg State University where he played the clarinet and graduated in 1950 with a degree in Music Education. He met Carlene Schifferdecker at Pitt State. They were married in 1950, and he said he thought he had won the lottery when he got to marry her.

Throughout their 66 year marriage until she passed in 2016, he was an amazing example of a loving and devoted husband. Jim was drafted into the army in 1952 and served most of his time as the assistant band director of the 101st Airborne Division Band in Breckenridge, Kentucky.

After leaving the service, Jim received his master’s degree in Music Education from the University of Kansas. Jim and Carlene moved to Kansas City where he started working for the Turner school district. He was there for almost 40 years as band director and ultimately as principal of Morris Elementary. Jim and Carlene also had a business of owning and renting houses. Jim’s cleverness of how to fix things meant he did almost all of the repairs himself including the plumbing, electrical, carpentry and maintenance while Carlene ran the business. Jim said he could fix just about anything with enough duct tape and bailing wire. After retiring from Turner, he sold his rental properties and worked part-time for Accelerated Schools in Overland Park until age 84. For nearly 60 years, Jim also was the music director of many churches in the Kansas City area. He was committed to making music a meaningful part of a worship service. Jim had a wonderful sense of humor. He liked telling jokes, and laughing with others. He wrote original poems and music throughout his life. For Christmas each year, Jim would write and perform an original song and lyrics for his grandchildren and family. Jim’s talent and quick wit will be missed by all who knew him.

Preceding him in death were his wife, Carlene Neihart and his son, Carl Neihart. He is survived by two sons, Dr. Robert Neihart and his wife Jane, and David Neihart and his wife Wendy. Jim loved his 10 grandchildren and counted them as treasures. They are Jim and Rachael Neihart, Bryan and Martha Neihart, Anna and Adam Lynch, Brent and Rachel Neihart, and Braden and Missy Neihart. He has 8 great grandchildren and often said how lucky he was to be able to have lived long enough to see great grandchildren. He is also survived by his in-laws Sandra Schifferdecker and John Schifferdecker.

A Memorial Visitation will take place from 10am to 11am on Saturday, April 2 at Christ Anglican Church, 5500 W 91st St, Overland Park, KS 66207. A Memorial Service will follow at 11:00am.