Walter James "Jim" Gaumer, 75, died July 13, 2021, at Bridgehaven
Retirement Center in Lawrence, Kansas. He was born Christmas Day, 1945,
fourth child of James A. and Garrah (Bainter) Gaumer at Norton, Kansas.
Jim grew up in the Jennings, Kansas community where he was
affectionately called “Jimmie”. He graduated from Jennings High School
with the class of 1964 later attending Kansas State University,
Manhattan, Kansas and Fort Hays State University, Hays, Kansas. He was a
member of the National Guard.
Always a “farm boy," he joined his parents in farming, ranching and
the dirt construction business, Gaumer Terracing, which continued until
failing health forced his retirement in 2011.
In 1967 Jim married Judy Beth Bainter, daughter of Gayle C. and Ruth
M. (Carstens) Bainter at the McGraw United Methodist Church, rural
Dresden, Kansas. They were the parents of three children: Adam Gregory,
Amy Sue and Nathan James. They resided at Jennings, Kansas until 1973
when they purchased the farm belonging to Wesley & Fern Gaumer
located southeast of Oberlin in Custer Township. In 2011 they sold the
farm and Judy moved to Oberlin and Jim moved to Tecumsah, Kansas. Jim
and Judy later divorced.
In retirement, Jim enjoyed woodworking and camping with Amy and Nathan and their families.
Jim was preceded in death by his parents, his son Adam Gregory; and
sister and brother-in-law Betty (Gaumer) and Carl Fitzgerald.
Jim is survived by daughter Amy (Clayton) Erickson, Tecumseh,
Kansas, son Nathan (Rebecca) Gaumer, grandchildren, Alix, Chase and
Isabelle Erickson, Emma, Athena and Natalia Gaumer, Great grandchildren
Rosie, Reid and Malea, siblings Dale (Karen) Gaumer, Noblesville,
Indiana, sister Mary Arnold, Aurora Colorado, and friend, Sue, Topeka,
Kansas.
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