James Harley Tumbleson, age 86, of Lenexa, Kansas passed away on November 8, 2023. Visitation will be 9:30 -10:30 am on Wednesday, November 15th at the Lenexa Baptist Church, 15320 W. 87th Street Parkway, Lenexa, Kansas 66219, followed by the funeral service at 10:30 am. Graveside service will be 9:00 am on Friday, November 17th in Leavenworth National Cemetery, 150 Muncie Road, Leavenworth, Kansas 66048. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions are suggested to Garden Terrace at Overland Park and Lenexa Baptist Church.
James Harley Tumbleson was born August 2, 1937 to Ora Bell (Dodge) Tumbleson and Harley Lenley Tumbleson in Hagarville, Arkansas. James worked in a lumber mill in Dillard, Oregon for about 2 years. While traveling to Arkansas on vacation, he was involved in a car accident that severely injured his left arm, which required surgery and months of recuperating. He never returned to Oregon. He and his wife Carolyn moved to Kansas City and he got a job working on Butler Buildings. James was in the Iron Workers Union Local 10 for 34 years. He traveled to Nassau, Bahamas working there for several months. He also worked in St. Kitts, Nevis, Mosteratt, and Belize putting up buildings. In the Kansas City area, he worked on power plants and missile bases. After retiring from Iron Work, James started and owned a new home construction clean up company for 5 years. Then he retired to spend time at the Lake of the Ozark to go boating, fishing, and taking his grandkids with him. James always had a boat to teach his three children to water ski. In his later years, when James' memory was declining, he sold the cabin and boat. He loved the Lord and his church, pastors, and the music at church. James loved his family above all. He was a good and faithful husband. James had many friends and loved to talk to anyone he could.
He was preceded in death by his parents; his brother, LG Tumbleson; sister, Imogene Tumbleson Parke; and brother, Gary Dale Tumbleson.
He is survived by his wife of 66 years, Delilah Carolyn Thronebury Tumbleson; son, Kerry Wayne Tumbleson (Rebecca); daughter, Rhonda Denise Bogard (Don); and daughter, Tracey DeAnn Maier (Gary); eight grandchildren, Joshua Wayne Tumbleson, Kacey Elizabeth Twist Collier (Luke), Taylor Michael Bogard (Jaye), Fred Elmer Twist III (Asia), Dallas James Bogard (Monique), Silas Alexander "Alex" Tumbleson, Tiffany Rachelle Bogard Cannon (Tim), and Andrea Marie Tumbleson Lawson (Steven); nine great-grandchildren, Peyton Bogard, Jullian Bogard, Callen Bogard, Rylan Collier, Daemien Twist, Oliver Collier, Reagan Cannon, Addilyn Cannon and Briar Twist; one aunt, Polly Dodge Holben, of Arkansas; many nieces, nephews, and cousins.
Fond memories and expressions of sympathy may be shared at www.mcgilleyhoge.com for the Tumbleson family.
