Jim Dittemore, 88, of Olathe, Kansas passed away on June 17, 2020. Jim was born on the family farm in Severance, Kansas on May 15, 1932. Soon after, the family moved to Troy, Kansas. Growing up in Troy, Jim proudly earned the rank of Eagle Scout and was active in high school sports. Upon graduating from Troy High School in 1950, Jim enlisted in the U.S. Navy. Jim served 4 years on the USS Gloucester and the USS Dionysus. During the Korean War, the Gloucester patrol frigate saw combat and in one engagement took a direct hit from a shore battery resulting in numerous casualties. Jim was awarded several Korean campaign medals including the Combat Action Ribbon. One of Jim’s most talked about Navy achievements was cooking, carving, and serving Thanksgiving turkey to over 5,000 sailors at the Naval Base in San Francisco. Jim’s Navy training served him well as after this tour he attended Kansas State University laying the foundation for a rewarding career in food service and the path to meeting his bride.
On December 17, 1961, Jim married the love of his life, Alice, who he met while working at Myron Green’s Cafeteria. Married in Paolo, together, they followed Jim’s career to Washington, D.C., New Orleans, Colombia (MO), Topeka, Vermillion (SD), and eventually retiring in Olathe. While serving as the director of food services at Washburn University and, later at University of South Dakota, Jim was recognized with many industry awards; however, he was most proud of the daily appreciation shown by the student body for his innovative and unique dining events, many of which were also touched by Alice.
In 1993, Jim and Alice retired to Olathe to be closer to family and friends.
Jim was preceded in death by wife, Alice, brothers, Paul and Calvin, sister Dorthey Dowden, and his parents. Jim is survived by daughters, Brenda Lawrensen (Martin) of Volin, South Dakota and Robin Meyen (Blake) of Winfield, Kansas; three grandchildren, Crystal Lawrensen, Hunter Meyen, and Zachary Meyen; and one great-grandchild, Jameson Johnson. Jim is also survived by special cousins and dear friends, Don and Pat Lunbeck of Olathe, Kansas.
