Longtime Goodland, KS resident Jimmie "Jim" Lee Applebee, 85, passed away on Saturday, July 25, 2020, at the Topside Manor in Goodland. He was born on November 14, 1934, in Glen Elder, KS to Vinton (Shorty) and Ida (Lundy) Applebee.
Jim attended school in Glen Elder, graduating with the class of 1952. He attended Ft. Hays State his freshman year. Because he was at the top of the draft list, he sat out of school until January of 1955. He entered the Army during that time, and was stationed at Fort Orad, California and Fort Lewis, Washington. He spent 2 years in the Army Infantry and the 5 more years in the Army Reserves, and was discharged in 1962.
While being stationed at Ft. Lewis, Jim played football on the 9th Infantry Regiment team. After the service, he returned to school at Emporia State and graduated there in 1960, with a Bachelor of Science Degree. During the summer of 1970, he received his Masters of Science Degree from Ft. Hays State. While in College, Jim played football for both Emporia State and Ft. Hays State. Following his college career, Jim taught school and coached at Valley Falls, Sabetha, Ellis, Smith Center and Goodland. In 1994, Jim was inducted into the Ellis Teachers Hall of Fame. During that same year, Jim was awarded for Youth Service from the Goodland Chamber of Commerce.
On May 31, 1959, Jim married Marlene Michels at the Methodist Church in Hunter, KS. To this union, three daughters; Glenda, DeAnn and Susan were born.
Jim was a strict, but loving dad and family man. He loved to see his daughters together telling stories and hearing them laugh. His favorite family times were Thanksgiving, Christmas, Birthdays and the 4th of July. He looked forward to buying fireworks for the grandkids, having a BBQ and always having homemade ice cream.
He worked at J&J Feeders for several years. Also, he enjoyed driving a truck for Short and Sons now and then. He and Dick had some fun stories to tell.
Jim owned a golf cart business for 25 years until his health began to fail. He was an avid golfer. He enjoyed all sports and loved attending his Grandkids ballgames.
He was a member of the First United Methodist Church in Goodland, the Goodland Elks Lodge, Phi Sigma Epsilon Fraternity and a past member of the Sugar Hill Golf Club.
Preceding him in death were his parents, one brother Vinton Jr., and an infant granddaughter Lisa Marie Dwyer.
He is survived by his wife Marlene of the home in Goodland, three daughters; Glenda (Dale) Dwyer of Cheyenne Wells, Colorado, DeAnn (Marlin) Hillmer of Goodland, KS, and Susan (Kevin) Schmidt of Brewster, KS. He is also survived by Eight Grandchildren; James (Sara) Dwyer, Hillary Dwyer (Tyson Frihauf), Tyler (Andrea) Hillmer, Angela (Corbin) Townsend, Ryan Hillmer, Jaden, Carson and Kamdyn Schmidt; two step granddaughters; Sally (Matt) Lahm and Lori (Craig) Rosales, nine great grandchildren and 8 step great grandchildren.
Funeral services for Jim will be held on Thursday, July 30, 2020 at 10:30 AM MT at the United Methodist Church in Goodland with Pastor Zach Anderson officiating. Burial will follow in the Goodland Cemetery.
Visitation will be held on Wednesday, July 29, 2020 from 5:00 to 8:00 PM MT at Koons-Russell Funeral Home in Goodland.
Memorial contributions may be designated to the Jim Applebee Memorial Fund and may be left at the services or mailed to Koons-Russell Funeral Home, 211 N. Main Ave., Goodland, KS 67735.
Online condolences for the family may be left at www.koonsrussellfuneralhome.com.
Funeral services have been entrusted to Koons-Russell Funeral Home in Goodland.