James F. Bigham

James F. Bigham was born in Muncie, KS on August 11, 1923 to George F. Sr. and Lola B. Francisco, Bigham. He was welcomed into the arms of Jesus on March 31, 2012 at Aldersgate Village, Topeka, KS. He attended Hazel Grove Grade School, Washington High School and Kansas City Art Institute. He enlisted in the US Navy in 1942 and was honorably discharged in 1946. He married Norma K. Olson on June 1, 1948. This marriage was blessed with four children: Jamie Hawk of Topeka, KS, Jerry Bigham of Luray, KS, Jay Bigham of McPherson, KS and Janis Ahsmuhs of Overland Park, KS. They survive, as well as his brother, George F. Bigham of Twinsville, OH, eight grandchildren and seven great -grandchildren. He is preceded in death by his parents , his older brother, Jack Bigham , and his infant great-grandson, Hudson James Viets.

Jim was a builder-developer in the Kansas City Area and later owned and operated Markley Motors in Luray, KS. In 1994, Jim & Norma retired to their mountain cabin near Estes Park, CO and enjoyed 13 years creating a natural haven for family, strangers stopping by and for their friends in the area.

Jim was a member of the Chapel of the Interlude in Drake, CO, Optimist Club, Lyons Club, and Aldersgate Village Wood Butchers Club.

Jim was…

A man of warmth and compassion

A man with an eye for beauty and an urge to create

A man who believed that no job was too lowly if done well and to the glory of God
A man who loved one woman all his life, who walked beside her as a partner

Together, they made one good person, they used to laugh- he the eyes and she the ears.

Together they raised four children, teaching them to love the Lord, respect their elders, care for the land, work hard, and hold tight to family

A man filled with integrity

A man who taught respect for mankind, not with words but actions, stopping his work to drive a homeless vet to his destination

A brave man who, with his wife, harbored a woman running for her life in the middle of the night, a young prostitute who was to testify in court against a dangerous drug dealer, an escaped convict (unbeknownst to him), and numerous others.

None were turned away; all were shown love and kindness and all heard about Christ's love for them

Though not a man of musical talent, he spent his life singing the melody of Christ's grace

A courageous man who pulled strangers from the river and sheltered them during a flood

A builder

A carver

A man of prayer

A man who, in his eighties, still memorized whole chapters of the Bible

A man who enjoyed every minute with his eight grandchildren and seven great-grandchildren; serving up pit-barbequed ribs and ever ready for a wiener roast, even in the winter

A caregiver to his parents, his in-laws, and to his wife

A friend to many and loved by all who knew him

The self- proclaimed "Kings-on-the-Corner" champ of the North Fork area

A man with twinkling brown eyes and wrinkles born of smiling

A man who loved his country and who proudly served

A man eager to embrace the promise of his Savior

There are no words to express our love and thankfulness to him who raised us, but to our Lord be the glory for the gift of our father

A memorial service will be held on Saturday, April 14 at Aldersgate Village, Trent Plaza in Topeka, KS at 2pm and at the Chapel of the Interlude, Drake CO at a later date.

Jim may be honored with memorial gifts made to Aldersgate Village Good Samaritan Fund, 7220 Southwest Asbury Dr., Topeka, KS 66614 or Disabled Veterans of America, P.O. Box 14301 Cincinnati, OH 45250.