James “Jim” Dale Bartlett died April 1, 2024, at Meadowlark Hills in Manhattan, Kansas. He was born to Arthur and Gladys Allen in Ottawa County Kansas on July 7, 1943. His siblings were Robert Allen, Luther Lee Allen, Duane Allen, Lenora Sommerville (Allen), Howard Allen, Phyllis Judd (Allen), Catherine Meats (Bartlett), Edith Jones (Broiles), Esther Fink (Broiles), and Patrick (Floyd) Broiles. He is survived by Catherine, Edith and Patrick.
Jim and his sister Catherine were welcomed into the Bartlett and Beauchamp families in 1953 when they were adopted by Dale and Clarice Bartlett (both deceased).
Jim attended grade school at an orphanage in Abilene, in Olathe when he was in foster care, and Coffeyville, before attending high school in LeRoy Kansas.
After graduating from LeRoy High School in 1962 Jim joined the U.S. Marine Corps family. He went to boot camp at San Diego, California before going to Viet Nam with the 1st Battalion 3rd Marine Division in December 1964.
He joined the Army in 1975. Jim then retired from the Army in 1989 with 26 years of combined service. He continued to support veterans after retiring teaching Transition Assistance classes at Ft. Riley and working for the State of Kansas as a veteran’s service representative. He also was an active member in local Disabled American Veterans, Veterans of Foreign Wars, American Legion and Flint Hills Veteran’s Coalition chapters. He handed out flags at Manhattan’s Veteran’s Day Parade for many years.
Jim joined the Merle and Virginia Hammond family when he married their daughter Shirley in November of 1968 The “Outlaws” as he fondly called them were: Beverly Ives(Keith) both deceased, Steven Hammond (Leticia), Loretta Moerer, Clifford Hammond (Mary), and Katherine Fuhlhage (Jerry).
Jim and Shirley have three children, 10 grandchildren, and two great-grandchildren.
James Andrew, whose children are Megan, Helen and Camille. He is married to Melissa (Vene).
Thomas Alan, whose children are Mackenzie, Ashley, Samantha and Quincy. Mackenzie (Theis) and her husband, Andrew, have two children, Isla and Wyatt.
Jason Dean, whose children are Nevaeh, Bonnie and Jase. He is married to Mekea (Geisler).
Jim’s children, grandchildren and great-grandchildren were his greatest joys. He showed that love with hugs, group hugs, counting flowers, playing games and just being there for them all. He was also deeply loved by his many nieces, nephews who have fond memories of “Uncle Jim”.
Services will be at the Yorgensen Meloan Londeen Funeral Home in Manhattan, Kansas. Visitation is April 8, 2024, 5-7:30 pm. Funeral is April 9, 2024, 10 am with burial following at the Veteran’s Cemetery in Manhattan.
The Yorgensen-Meloan-Londeen Funeral Home, 1616 Poyntz Avenue, Manhattan, Kansas 66502, is assisting the family with service arrangements.