Search
Search
Close this search box.

In Remembrance

jim_rausch

Jim Rausch

Jim Rausch of Garden Plain, Kansas, passed away on May 1, 2008, after a courageous three-year battle with brain and colon cancer.

Jim’s battle began in April 2005 when he was diagnosed with Stage IV colon cancer at the age of 49. After several surgeries and rounds of chemotherapy, Jim was pronounced cancer free a year later. Jim had won his battle! However, just eight months later, after suffering from debilitating balance and movement problems, it was discovered that Jim had a malignant brain tumor. In less than a week, he was unable to walk and was nearly paralyzed on his left side. This time surgery was not an option and the standard radiation treatments posed significant side effects. Jim was then named as one of the first candidates for CyberKnife radiation therapy in Wichita, Kans. Jim’s treatment was so successful, that he was featured in an article promoting the procedure. The article describes how Jim arrived at his first appointment in a wheelchair, and after just three procedures, walked in for his follow-up appointment just two weeks later. Jim was quoted as saying that CyberKnife “gave him a second lease on life.” Because of advancements such as this, Jim was able to watch one of his children graduate from high school, another graduate from college, and another marry.

Jim’s gift in life was his sharp mind coupled with his hands. Jim had an amazing ability to repair or construct any item that came to mind. Jim spent the majority of his career working in maintenance and facilities management, but he did not like sitting behind a desk. He wanted to be out on the production floor and gave new meaning to the term “hands-on”. The picture displayed here depicts how everyone remembers Jim—happy to be working in his blue “work” shirt.

Family was the first priority for Jim. He was a devoted husband and father and took pride in his family, often bragging about his children and their accomplishments. Jim is survived by his high school sweetheart and wife of 33 years, Beverly (Weber), daughters, Melissa Bleser (Walter) of Kansas City, MO, Jannessa Moore (Matthew), of Shawnee, KS and son Patrick of Manhattan, Kans.

Jim’s second passion in life was his hobbies–and there were many! From restoring his 1932 Ford Roadster, to competitive handgun competitions, restoring antique John Deere tractors and finally, touring on his Harley Davidson Road King. There was no task that he could not accomplish. In fact, we are sure that Jim is working on some type of project in a better place.

Make a Donation in Honor of 

Jim Rausch