James W. McAnelly

James McAnelly, 90, of Olathe, KS passed away Sunday, October 20, 2013 at Aberdeen Village. He was born September 20, 1923 on a farm near Hamilton, Texas, the son of Walter Monroe and Dolly (Harris) McAnelly.

He was active in Future Farmers of America in high school and earned the Lone Star Farmer award. While in high school he was selected by the Fort Worth Star Telegram as one of the state’s outstanding youths. He attended Tarleton Agricultural College in Stephenville, Texas where he was elected head yell leader, from 1941 to 1943. He entered Texas A & M in 1943 where he was a member of the Aggie Corps. He served as a 1st Lt. In the Air Corps of the Army, Bengal Air Depot, Calcutta, India and as a Motor Transport Officer with Quartermaster Truck Companies during World War II. Graduated with a degree in Agriculture from Texas A & M in 1947.

He married Maxine Filkins on December 24, 1947.

He worked with the 4-H organization in Texas and served as the Ellsworth County, Kansas 4-H Club agent. He helped organize the National Guard Field Artillery Battery in Ellsworth, Kansas. Later he entered the banking field. He served as president of the State Bank of Stanley, Kansas. He was involved with insurance and real estate development in the Stanley area. Jim was active in civic and community affairs. In 1963 he helped organize the Rural Water District #2 in Johnson County, Kansas and served as secretary a number of years. He was a member of the Oxford township zoning board, and past president of the Stanley-Stilwell Lions Club.

Jim was an avid golfer. During his retirement years Jim was a long time volunteer at the Overland Park Golf Course.

He was preceded in death by his parents and brother, Rex McAnelly.

Survivors include two daughters, Lynne McAnelly (Harold Zakon) of Austin, TX and Debbie Ackerman (Dennis Ackerman) of Lawrence KS, two granddaughters, Dani Zakon, Abbey Ackerman, a grandson, Alex Zakon, a step-grandson, Jeremy Ackerman, and a niece, Laura McAnelly.