James L. 'Jim' McIver, Buhler
James L. "Jim" McIver Obituary - Visitation & Funeral Information (wigginsfuneralhomes.com)
October 24, 1929 - December 19, 2022
A Celebration of Life will be 1:00 p.m., March 24, 2023, at Sunshine Meadows Retirement Community Chapel in Buhler. Cremation has taken place. Private burial will take place at Buhler Municipal Cemetery with Military Honors.
Memorial contributions may be made to St. Jude Children’s Hospital or Phoenix Hospice in care of Buhler Mortuary, P.O. Box 589, Buhler, KS 67522.
JAMES L. MCIVER October 24, 1929-December 19, 2022
You may recall that October 24, 1929, was coined “Black Thursday” – the day the stock market crashed, beginning the Great Depression. It was also the day that Jim McIver was born to Oscar and Alice McIver, at the family home in Satanta, KS.
Before his first birthday, Jim’s family – and many families in Kansas, Texas, Oklahoma, New Mexico, and Colorado experienced suffering at the hands of the dust bowl, a phenomenon that lasted through 1936. The choking dust caused daytime to be as dark as night when Jim and his siblings walked together to the old schoolhouse. “Black blizzards” drifted like snow as his grandma swept the house, yet the dust worked its way into food, skin, and furniture. Crops were devoured by grasshoppers, jack rabbits ruled the drought-stricken plains, and topsoil blew away in huge clouds. Like many families during this time, the McIvers farmed, worked odd jobs, and fought to make ends meet as they lit their home with gas lamps and tried to survive.
Years earlier, Jim’s grandparents homesteaded on a plot of land a few miles from his birthplace. On it stood a large barn-shaped monolith laboriously built by his grandpa from hand-poured bricks filled with concrete, mud and bits of wire, springs, and metal. This structure was “one of a kind” in Haskell County, housing a welding shop, slaughterhouse, workshop, smoke house, and cattle shelter. As a young child, Jim spent summers on his grandparent’s farm, enjoying home-made biscuits and sleeping in the house while wishing he could accompany his four uncles who slept high in the hayloft.
During the day, Jim busily helped milk goats, manage mules, and he fed the hogs thistles and tumbleweeds that he found. In fourth grade, Jim was instructed to find a job.
And find a job he did – with a local farmer. Mornings before and after school, he would milk cows – and in the summer, the farmer would place him on a tractor in a large field for the rest of the day. Jim remembered one lightning storm that left him scared and alone while driving the tractor. At the end of the summer, he received a white dress shirt as a reward for his work.
Another side job had Jim (around age ten) and his brother Mark, setting pins at a local bowling alley. They walked about a mile into town in the evenings and walked back home at the end of the day. He was paid “per pin” for setting them in the bowling alley, but his employment screeched to a halt the day his boss told him he would have to sign up for a social security card. Jim was not beholden to anyone, least of all the U.S. government, and he said, “not me, I quit.” That was it.
Jim was the oldest boy in the family – a group that included Ella Marie, Mark, Pete, George, Corky, and Crystal. With a large family to feed, the family moved to Reno County, in search of work. They located in the Langdon area and Jim found work on the Fred Greer farm. Within the year, his parents and siblings returned to Satanta, but the Greers invited Jim to stay with them, work on the farm, and attend Langdon High School where he could play basketball. The Greer Family (Fred and Matilda – son John and daughter Frances) acted as a foster family to Jim. He was happily welcomed and soon found himself immersed in an enjoyable high school career, work, and family times. In high school, he was the Langdon basketball high scorer time and again. He made many friends and had a Cushman scooter for transportation. He worked hard for this farm business, primarily managed by Matilda and son John. As a junior and senior in high school, he trucked to the east coast and north into Minnesota to haul and pick up machinery, as part of the farming business. Seeing new sights and traveling the open roads fascinated Jim – and took him to places he had only dreamed. His life of adventure was opening before him – and he readily played along, awaiting the next best
thing.
Never a farmer, Fred’s livelihood was house building and Jim was fascinated. So, after graduation, he spent one year working for Fred Greer. He learned carpentry – how to lay oak floors and finish trim, pour concrete, weld, and braise metals, and frame homes.
In 1947, Fred, Matilda and Jim left the farm and moved into Hutchinson where Jim matriculated at Hutchinson Community College. He played basketball both years and in 1949 the Blue Dragons found themselves head-to-head for the championship, in a topsy-turvy contest with the team from Tyler, Texas. Hutch was in the game until the end, before falling 66-64 in what sports writers dubbed a real “nail-biter.” For a team that was not expected to compete, a second-place national trophy sounded great. And for this farm kid from western Kansas, this was a big deal. From that point on, Jim was a Blue Dragon fan – and for over 40 years, the McIvers from Buhler held tickets to the National Junior College Tournament, sometimes camping out in the snow and waiting in line, to secure their four-ticket set.
By 1950, Jim knew his “number” was up and that he soon would be drafted into the military. Knowing he wasn’t an Army man, he enlisted in the Air Force before he was drafted, leaving Kansas City, to arrive at San Antonio’s Kelly Field on New Year’s Eve. Thousands of recruits were on the base and barracks were scarce, so Jim ended upsleeping in a tent. After basic training, he was transferred to Nellis AFB in Las Vegas. It was there that he started his career as a B25 flight mechanic. He spent many hours in the air and life was full of adventure. He made friends easily during his four years in the service and he adored airplanes, their machinery and mechanics. Once again, he had a few side jobs – working at the dump, cutting hair, and loaning money. In the evenings, he would borrow the wooden desk chair from the Commander’s Office, carrying it over his head to the quarters where he would cut hair. On payday, Jim was at the end of the line, collecting payment and tracking the entries in his little black book.
Jim served in the United States Air Force from 1950 to 1954, attaining the rank of Staff Sergeant. He was a crew chief on a B-25 Bomber assigned to the 3530th Field Maintenance Squadron at Bryan Airport Base in Bryan, TX. He was grateful and proud to serve in the Air Force and after his final transfer to Bryan, he was honorably discharged in 1954, awaiting his next adventure.
By this time, Jim and Evelyn had known each other for two years. They met in 1952 while Evelyn was in nurse’s training. One of her friends showed her a picture of Jim, and immediately Evelyn stated that she would like to meet him. Jim hitch-hiked (very common in those days for men in uniform) to Hutchinson that Thanksgiving holiday in 1952 during a terrible blizzard – and they enjoyed their first “double date” at the Ranch House. The couple were engaged in 1953 as Jim trekked back and forth from Texas to see her (it took 12-15 hours each time). They were married in Buhler on a very hot September day in 1954 and Estes Park was their honeymoon destination; a perfect vacation spot for the whole family for years to come.
During this time, Jim was waiting for an appointment to the U.S. Postal Service, a long drawn out process. During his wait – and after cutting hair in the Air Force – Jim decided to obtain a barber’s license.
In January 1955, they loaded up their 1948 Chevrolet and a friend’s small trailer with all their possessions to make their way south to Houston. Jim attended the barber school during the day and Evelyn found an evening nursing position at Hedgecroft Polio Hospital, caring for iron lung patients. After six months, the newlyweds returned to Hutchinson where Jim worked numerous temporary jobs and barbered until he began with the postal service in 1956.
His first assignment was at the Hutchinson Post Office where he remained until he was appointed the Buhler rural mail route, a position that he held until 1991. His 80-mile route, driven Monday through Saturday each week, provided well for the family and for his retirement. He often spoke of the many friends he made on the “route” and how many kind gestures he received. Sometimes, Kansas weather made mail delivery difficult. Evelyn recalls how Jim would dig out his car after rainstorms and a time that he walked to work to “put up the mail” because his driveway was drifted shut. Yet Jim loved his job - the scenery, wildlife, farming, friendships, and the beauty of it all. When he was delivering baby chickens or ducks, he would drop by home so the kids could seethem. Sunday afternoons were spent showing Suz the latest sheep that were sheared, baby pigs that were born or turtles sunning themselves on rocks. Jim had 31 new Chevrolets during his tenure with the post office – he would sit on the passenger side, steer with his left arm and pedal with his left foot, reaching with his right arm to the mailbox. He never had a four-wheel drive vehicle and was awarded the 1,000,000 mile award (no accidents) from the U.S. Postal Service. He worked 34 years for the United States Postal Service, three years in Hutchinson and 31 years as a rural letter carrier in Buhler and never used a sick day. Well-loved and appreciated, Jim found his niche in the work world.
Jim and Evelyn made a home for their first pet, a purebred boxer, in 1955. This beautiful fawn pup was the love of Jim’s life. He taught him tricks, took him to obedience training and played with him, even dressing him in clothes. “Shocker” made an indelible mark on Jim’s heart – and when he died in 1960, Jim was heartbroken, never to own another dog.
With joy, their first child, Bradley James, was born March 15, 1956, while they lived in Hutchinson. With this birth, Jim told Evelyn that he would work whatever was necessary so that she could be at home with Brad. Jim enjoyed loading Brad in his little mail truck for a ride around the block and he built Brad a special swing set for the backyard. He liked that he could provide his son a tricycle and bike, something he never had as a child. His promise to support and raise his family with a parent in the home was important to Jim, and a great blessing.
In 1960, Jim and Evelyn decided that they would move to Buhler and build a home. During that time, they found that they again were to have a child – and Susan Marie was born April 15, 1960 while the home was under construction. Fred Greer helped Jim frame up the home and Jim left work for eight weeks to assist. After returning to work, Jim spent many long evening hours finishing the home, so they were able to move in on August 15, 1960. Evelyn still remarks how very thankful they were for this new, wonderful home and their happy family with two children that they loved so dearly.
The kids kept Evelyn busy as Jim added additional work to supplement the family income. Thinking ahead, Jim created a barbershop in the back of the house and for many years, he remodeled homes for his father-in-law. After the mail route and haircut appointments, he would don his coveralls and work late into the night tearing out sheetrock, painting walls, rebuilding cabinets and stripping plumbing. The work was hard, dirty, and time-consuming. At one point, Jim even sold and serviced Jacobson lawn mowers. His commitment to provide for the family never wavered; he was a loving father and wonderful breadwinner.
In 1956, Jim and Evelyn joined Park Place Christian Church in Hutchinson. Active and attending until 2019, they never faltered in their interest and support of Park Place. Jim spent many years as a deacon and in later years, also served as a trustee. From the time they connected with Park Place, Jim was an active member of the property committee, serving for many years as chairperson. One need not look far to see Jim’s handiwork and multiple projects that he managed throughout the building – baptistry, roof, heating and air conditioning system, parking lot, yard, and sound system. Together, Jim and Evelyn taught the five-year old Sunday School class and became friends with six other couples that they enjoyed for years to come. It was not unusual to see the McIver family helping at a workday, cleaning the church when the custodian was on vacation, washing communion cups, and assisting with fundraisers and events year after year. Looking back, it was Matilda Greer who fostered Jim’s connection to the church providing him stability, friendship, and a bond to the Holy.
Engaged in Buhler civic activities, Jim was instrumental in organizing the fire district, including the volunteer firefighters in the 1960s. In the 1980s, Jim led the group that installed flagpoles at the Buhler Cemetery, and in later years, arranged for the veteran memorial, bench, shed, and concrete pad. For many years, he and Suz worked together on Memorial Day, putting up American flags so the cemetery would look beautiful for
those visiting.
Jim had high standards and particular ways of doing things. He was an ethical man who wanted things to be a certain way. Some may have called him a perfectionist – a trait that certainly showed in his furniture, remodels, and wooden creations. He kept his barber shop and workshop very tidy, and Evelyn remembers that he would thank her for doing the laundry and providing him clean sheets at night. The kids remember learning to hold their fork “the right” way so they would not eat like pigs and Suz remembers getting scolded for running in the house. Manners mattered. The kids were taught how to behave in a restaurant, how to respect authority, and how to be decent human beings. He was firm at times because these character traits were so very important to him. Jim had so many lessons to share.
Jim was known for his generosity. He gave haircuts away as if they were water. He cut firewood and anonymously delivered it to families. He, Evelyn and the kids would deliver popcorn and oranges to friends on the mail route at Christmas time. If someone needed help moving a household, he was there. If someone’s home needed repair, he would show up.
He was a joker and always up to something. Halloween would find him dressed up (sometimes with Suz) and walking the streets of Buhler without saying a word. He loved arriving home after these escapades, sharing stories while drinking hot chocolate. Whole cans of peanuts would disappear at friend’s weddings and mysteriously, they would appear at the next church “get together.” He could wiggle his ears independently, loved rubber masks, created mischievous toys out of wood, walked silly and simply loved goofing around and having fun with the McIver brothers.
As the children grew, the family regularly vacationed. Trips were built around state and national letter carrier conventions. Often, Evelyn would take on leadership roles, but Jim enjoyed being with the “juniors.” At that time, the “juniors” comprised a large group of kids that would play, sight-see and tour wherever the convention was held. Jim would drive the bus and arrange for the activities. Those conventions were fun for all and made great family memories.
Annually, the family travelled to Colorado Springs to see Grandma Matilda and Grandpa Fred Greer. By this time, the Greers were settled on Kinnikinnik Drive in the Ivywild section of the city. After Fred died and while the kids and Evelyn spent time with Matilda and enjoyed the city, Jim would take care of all the “honey-do’s” that were needed at the house. It was not unusual for him to rebuild stairs, fix doors, work in the garden, paint, or perform other tasks around the home. After a week in the Springs, the family spent a week in Estes Park where they would camp, sightsee, and enjoy time in the Rocky Mountains.
The family of four embarked on two very amazing trips to the East coast and West coast, each trip lasting over four weeks. The West coast included national parks, Oregon, Washington and British Columbia, Canada. The East coast included all the eastern States and their history, then north to Quebec and east to New Brunswick and Prince Edward Island. Jim was known to tell the kids: “Stay awake and look now, you may never be back.” And look they did.
The family welcomed their dear grandson, Jacob Cole McIver on January 21, 1985. When Jacob was a little boy, Jim loved when Jacob would stay with them for the weekend. He was so very proud of Jacob and enjoyed talking with him on the phone and sitting with him on the porch swing. In the last year, Jacob arranged a trip to see Jim and Evelyn, he stayed with them for three days and they had such a great time together. As recently as early December, Jim remarked what a fine young man Jacob had become – and he loved to mercilessly joke with Jacob about a Batman incident in Wal-Mart when Jacob was a little boy. Papa and Jacob deeply cared for each other.
After retirement, Jim and Evelyn kept travelling. Their 50th Anniversary included an Alaskan cruise. They frequently travelled to the Outer Banks of North Carolina; it was one of their favorite spots to take in the shops, islands, and sights. Together, they visited every state in the nation, except Hawaii. They wandered into the Pacific Northwest enjoying Oregon, Washington and British Columbia – and across the states all the way into Newfoundland and Labrador where they met local fishermen, saw vast colonies of seabirds and relished the magnificent scenery. In 2017, they travelled back to Estes Park and their honeymoon cottage on their 63rd wedding anniversary. Suz was particularly grateful that Jim could accompany her on several work trips and the experience in Florida, namely Key West was one for the books. They had such a blast that they drove around Lake Superior and areas in between, just for fun. For Jim, traveling touched that adventuresome spirit within.
Once, Jim and his friend Jack flew to Arizona to spend a week rafting the Grand Canyon. He adored roller coasters, the more the better. Back in the 1990s he rode six in a row at Cedar Point, Ohio and when he was finished, he told Evelyn that his eyes “felt like they were rolling around in their sockets.”
Jim never owned a bicycle during his childhood, so one Christmas when he was in his 40s, Evelyn gave him a green Schwinn 10-speed Traveler bike. In the evenings, he would take bike rides with the kids, and eventually, travel longer distances by himself. His sense of adventure was calling and his desire for cycling was unquenchable, so after retirement, he put together a plan. In three legs, six weeks each and without a cell phone, he bicycled the United States from Portland, Maine to Portland, Oregon. He biked the “Bike Across Kansas” four times and the “Register’s Annual Great Bicycle Ride Across Iowa” five times. He sweated 100 miles in four hours around Wichita Falls, Texas in the “Hotter than Hell 100” and drove home afterwards. These and many other random trips after retirement logged over 75,000 miles on his red Cannondale. He carried everything he needed, pitched a tent to sleep, made friends along the road, and most importantly, called Evelyn every evening. Arriving home, they had delightful reunions and as he spoke of his explorations, a great big smile would spread across his face.
After his bicycle years were over, he became a voracious reader, sitting in his rocker, head down in a book. He preferred history, non-fiction, and adventure stories. He read books over repeatedly, gleaning more at each reading. It was not unusual for him to talk about what he was reading, remembering many fine details and experiences. In this “leg” of his life, he was once again having big adventures.
In September 2021, Jim and Evelyn sold Jim’s shop and their cherished home, moving to Buhler Sunshine Meadows. Their new home was everything they needed it to be, and their life was one of togetherness and memory-making. Closer than ever, Jim talked openly about his life, his growing up years and his many learnings. He reminisced about being alone and on his own: on the back of a tractor, hauling machinery to places unknown, delivering mail and riding his bike. Being alone was a comfort to Jim, a familiar friend of sorts – it was a place for him to live out his adventures, courage, perseverance, and free spirit. At the end of the day – and at the end of his life – he stated strongly what you and I can only wish for: “I’ve done everything I ever wanted to do.”
For that reality – for his wisdom, character, personhood and love for life and family and country, we are grateful.
Go in peace, Jim, you are a good and faithful servant. You are deeply loved and dearly missed.
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