James Howard Metzger

James Howard "Jim" Metzger, 85, Topeka, passed away Monday, June 26, 2017 at his home.

Jim was born April 19, 1932 in Circleville, the son of Howard Edwin and Christine Margaret (Preston) Metzger. He attended schools in Horton and graduated as President of his high school class in Marceline, Missouri in 1950.

He attended Washburn University on a Football scholarship. He served in the U.S. Army for 3 years during the Korean War. He returned to Washburn and joined the Alpha Delta fraternity where he served as President and was a member of the Sagamore Honors Society and Blue Key Honors Society. He was called to New York City to receive the Outstanding Advertising Student of America Award given by the I.W.A. Men and Women of America Advertising Association. He graduated from Washburn in 1957 and was later named President of the Washburn Alumni Association. He served in the restoring of the Washburn campus following the tornado of 1966.

Jim's business career began working with the Harvey Advertising Agency, followed by the Topeka Capital-Journal newspaper. He joined Security Benefit Life Insurance Company, completing 16 years of service as their Vice-President of Corporate Relations. He later purchased a subsidiary of Security Benefit Life, FINCOM, Inc., a promotion and design support system, primarily for financial institutions; as well as providing speeches and guest lectures throughout the country and overseas. Mr. Metzger published 19 magazines, including the Topeka Magazine and Bank News, and owned the Chase County Leader Newspaper. He was selected the Outstanding Young Man of America in their publication of 1967.

Jim served on the board of Jackson National Life Insurance Company in Lansing, MI. Governor Docking asked him to serve on the Kansas Ethics Committee. He was a Past President of the Native Sons and Daughters of Kansas. He was the Master of Ceremonies of the morning state-wide radio programs for the Eggs & Issues of the State Legislature. A few of Jim's civic and professional affiliations were with The American Red Cross, Scoutmaster for the Boy Scouts of America, Past President of the Public Relations Society of America, and Professional Advertising Clubs of Kansas. He was a member of the Downtown Rotary Club of Kansas and a member and Deacon of the Topeka First Presbyterian Church.

Jim married Mary Louise Martin in 1962. His wife of 55 years survives. Other survivors include their son, James Christopher "Jamey" Metzger; nephew, Charles H. Martin, all of Topeka. He was preceded in death by a sister, Marianne Metzger-Pepoon; and sister-in-law, Marjorie Martin-Snyder.

Funeral services will be held at 1:00 p.m. on Friday, June 30, 2017 at Mount Hope Cemetery & Funeral Chapel. Burial will follow in Mount Hope Cemetery.

Memorial contributions may be made to the Washburn Alumni Association.

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