James Debenham

JAMES R. DEBENHAM died September 14, 2008 at Stormont-Vail Regional Medical Center, Topeka, KS at the age of 74. He was born on April 29, 1934 in Clay County, KS the son of Elmer Ray Debenham and Hazel May Pooler. He was raised in Gill township in Clay County. Jim attended Clarke District 62 country school and graduated from Clay center High School in 1952. He farmed with his father before he joined the Air Force. He served for 4 years, being discharged as Staff Sergeant. He married Dorothy Fritz on July 4, 1954. She survives of the home. He worked as a civilian helicoptor mechanic at Ft. Riley for 4 years. in 1961 he and his family moved to Clay Center. Jim worked for C&W Rural Electric for 8 years. In 1970 he started Debenham Electric. His son Steve joined him in 1975. Jim retired in 2004. He was a member of St. PAul Lutheran Church where he served as elder, sunday school superintendant and taught sunday school. He also served on the state Legislative Committee for the National Federation of Independent Businessmen, 8 yeras on the Clay Center Electric Board, was a member of the Clay County Historical Society, delivered Meals on Wheels and was a Boy Scout Leader. Jim is preceded in death by a sister and his parents. Survivors include: Wife: Dorothy Debenham, Clay Center, KS Son: Steve and wife Sally Debenham, Clay Center, KS Son: Randy and wife Deborah Debenham, Topeka, KS Daughter: Janet Lewis, Wichita, KS Sister: Betty Debenham, Palmetto, FL Grandchildren: 12 Grand & 2 Great-grand Funeral Services will be held on Wednesday, September 17, 2008 at 2:00 PM at the St. Paul Lutheran Church in Clay Center, Kansas. Officiating the service will be Pastor Paul Tessaro. Burial will be at the Greenwood Cemetery, Clay Center, Kansas. Visitation will be held on 3-8 PM Tuesday and the fuenral home Memorials can be made to St. Paul Lutheran Church c/o the funeral home