In Memory Of
James Wright Bloomer
1936
2022
James Wright Bloomer
September 28, 1936 — April 22, 2022
James Wright Bloomer, 85, of Topeka, KS, died Friday, April 22, 2022 at a local nursing home.
James was born on September 28, 1936 on the farm his grandfather homesteaded in Smith County Kansas, 3 miles south and 3 miles east of Bellaire, KS. His parents were James Charles and Nettie Alice (Baker) Bloomer, and he had two older brothers, William Arthur "Art" and Joseph Charles "Joe."
Growing up on the farm was laborious for boys, and they farmed with horses for many years even when tractors became commonplace. Jimmie, as he was known by some school classmates, left Lebanon High School to work the farm, returning to Smith Center High School two years later and graduated in 1956.
James enlisted in the Kansas National Guard in 1955 and was Honorably Discharged in 1963. While working at the local grocery store, he also attended Fort Hays Kansas State College with the intent of becoming a high school business teacher.
On August 15, 1961, James married Phyllis Jeanne "P.J." Newell of Smith Center, KS at the United Methodist Church. The family surname changed to Bloomar and to this union one son, James Dean "J.D." Bloomar, was born in WaKeeney, KS.
Jim had been promoted to store manager of the local grocery store. The family would relocate several times before moving to Topeka, KS in July, 1967. Jim managed several grocery stores in Topeka including C&W Market, Don's IGA, and Lindy's Thriftway.
Jim was a Lifetime member of the Washburn Rural Optimist Club, having served as club president and volunteering at many baseball and bingo events.
Jim & P.J. purchased Byers Optical from the retiring owners in 1978. P.J. had been employed at the Fairlawn location and encouraged this career change. Jim operated the Downtown location while P.J. operated Fairlawn location. Jim became very skilled, completing technical training, and was American Board of Opticianry Certified (ABOC). Jim and Byers Optical were featured in the national trade publication "20/20" in January, 2003. He was very active with the Opticians Association of Kansas, serving on the board of directors for many terms while monitoring legislative actions. He was honored to be named Kansas Optician of the Year in 2005. Family friends Ellen Jones and Denise Schaffert were former employees. As an advocate for Downtown Topeka, he believed strongly in parking meters on Kansas Avenue to support locally owned businesses and presented many times before the Topeka City Council.
James was preceded in death by his father James Charles, his mother Nettie Alice, and his brother Joseph Charles.
He is survived by his wife of 60 years, P.J, and son J.D. of the home in Topeka, KS and his brother BGen W.A. Bloomer, USMC (Ret) and wife Sue of Wichita, KS, along with many cousins, nieces, nephew and friends.
Memorial contributions may made to Helping Hands Humane Society, 5720 SW 21st St., Topeka, KS 66604 (www.hhhstopeka.org) or to the Myasthenia Gravis Foundation of America, 290 Turnpike Rd., Suite 5-315, Westborough, MA 01581 (www.myasthenia.org).
Honoring James' request cremation has taken place. Celebration of Life was held on Saturday August 20th, 2022 with family and close friends, inurnment was followed at the Cremation Garden at Memorial Park Cemetery, 3616 SW 6th Ave., Topeka, KS 66606.
Dove Cremations and Funerals – Southwest Chapel, 3700 SW Wanamaker Rd., Topeka, KS 66610 is assisting the family.
To leave a message of condolence for James family, or to share a special memory of James, please visit the guestbook below.
James was born on September 28, 1936 on the farm his grandfather homesteaded in Smith County Kansas, 3 miles south and 3 miles east of Bellaire, KS. His parents were James Charles and Nettie Alice (Baker) Bloomer, and he had two older brothers, William Arthur "Art" and Joseph Charles "Joe."
Growing up on the farm was laborious for boys, and they farmed with horses for many years even when tractors became commonplace. Jimmie, as he was known by some school classmates, left Lebanon High School to work the farm, returning to Smith Center High School two years later and graduated in 1956.
James enlisted in the Kansas National Guard in 1955 and was Honorably Discharged in 1963. While working at the local grocery store, he also attended Fort Hays Kansas State College with the intent of becoming a high school business teacher.
On August 15, 1961, James married Phyllis Jeanne "P.J." Newell of Smith Center, KS at the United Methodist Church. The family surname changed to Bloomar and to this union one son, James Dean "J.D." Bloomar, was born in WaKeeney, KS.
Jim had been promoted to store manager of the local grocery store. The family would relocate several times before moving to Topeka, KS in July, 1967. Jim managed several grocery stores in Topeka including C&W Market, Don's IGA, and Lindy's Thriftway.
Jim was a Lifetime member of the Washburn Rural Optimist Club, having served as club president and volunteering at many baseball and bingo events.
Jim & P.J. purchased Byers Optical from the retiring owners in 1978. P.J. had been employed at the Fairlawn location and encouraged this career change. Jim operated the Downtown location while P.J. operated Fairlawn location. Jim became very skilled, completing technical training, and was American Board of Opticianry Certified (ABOC). Jim and Byers Optical were featured in the national trade publication "20/20" in January, 2003. He was very active with the Opticians Association of Kansas, serving on the board of directors for many terms while monitoring legislative actions. He was honored to be named Kansas Optician of the Year in 2005. Family friends Ellen Jones and Denise Schaffert were former employees. As an advocate for Downtown Topeka, he believed strongly in parking meters on Kansas Avenue to support locally owned businesses and presented many times before the Topeka City Council.
James was preceded in death by his father James Charles, his mother Nettie Alice, and his brother Joseph Charles.
He is survived by his wife of 60 years, P.J, and son J.D. of the home in Topeka, KS and his brother BGen W.A. Bloomer, USMC (Ret) and wife Sue of Wichita, KS, along with many cousins, nieces, nephew and friends.
Memorial contributions may made to Helping Hands Humane Society, 5720 SW 21st St., Topeka, KS 66604 (www.hhhstopeka.org) or to the Myasthenia Gravis Foundation of America, 290 Turnpike Rd., Suite 5-315, Westborough, MA 01581 (www.myasthenia.org).
Honoring James' request cremation has taken place. Celebration of Life was held on Saturday August 20th, 2022 with family and close friends, inurnment was followed at the Cremation Garden at Memorial Park Cemetery, 3616 SW 6th Ave., Topeka, KS 66606.
Dove Cremations and Funerals – Southwest Chapel, 3700 SW Wanamaker Rd., Topeka, KS 66610 is assisting the family.
To leave a message of condolence for James family, or to share a special memory of James, please visit the guestbook below.
To order memorial trees or send flowers to the family in memory of James Wright Bloomer, please visit our flower store.
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