Jim D. Wells

Jim was born April 22, 1936 in Burden, Kansas and lived in many towns throughout the state. His family settled in Ellinwood, Kansas, where he graduated from high school. He was a natural athlete, which led to his receiving a KU Football scholarship in 1954.

He married his high school sweetheart, Carol Sue Herold, and had three children Shelley, Scott and Cynthia. As a family, they enjoyed summer vacations, sports, and the small town life.

He worked in several professions in various cities throughout Kansas and Oklahoma, including Ellinwood, Hoisington, Ulysses, Dodge City, Hays, Ark City, Ardmore, and Ponca City, Oklahoma, before establishing his own Oilfield Chemical Supply business.

Jim was fortunate enough to retire early and spend many summers and weekends with his children and grandchildren. He enjoyed watching birds while having coffee in the backyard.

Jim and Carol were long time residents of Ponca City, Oklahoma before moving to Derby, Kansas to be closer to family. Jim volunteered and served on the board of the Derby Senior Center, as well as attending Woodlawn United Methodist Church.

More recently, Jim spent time playing poker, having coffee, spinning tales with his Derby buddies, keeping in contact with school alumni friends and being a dedicated KU Basketball Fan.

But, most of all, he was a loving husband, devoted father and beloved PaPa.

He was survived by wife, Carol of 59 years, his three children Shelley (Arves) Jones of Wausau, Wisconsin, Scott (Ilyse) Wells of Loveland, Ohio and Cynthia (Ken) Richardson of Derby, Kansas and five grandchildren Adam (Therese) Richardson of Blairsville, Pennsylvania, Emily (Jesse) Wealot of Lenexa, Kansas, Andrew Richardson of Manhattan, Kansas, Mark Wells of Columbus, Ohio and Elliott Wells of Providence, Rhode Island, sister Beverly Haynes and several nieces and nephews. Preceded in death by parents, David and Hester Wells, and brother Richard Wells.

Jim Wells, age 78, passed away Thursday, May 29, 2014.

Memorial service will be at 2 P.M. Saturday, June 14, 2014 at Smith Family Mortuary, 1415 N Rock Road in Derby.

In lieu of flowers, memorials have been established with the Woodlawn United Methodist Church, 431 S Woodlawn Blvd, Derby, KS 67037 and/or The Derby Senior Center, 611 N Mulberry Rd #100, Derby, KS 67037.