James Rountree

James Dean Rountree, known to all as "Jim", was born December 12, 1934 to Harley R. and Thelma Laye Rountree at Clay Center, Kansas. He departed this life of 84 years, 3 months and 16 days, early Thursday morning, March 28, 2019 at his home in Glasco, Kansas.

On April 1, 1956, he was united in marriage with Betty Jean Haskell. To this union, Deborah and Mark, were born. This union later dissolved. On October 4, 1974, he was united in marriage with Phyllis L. (Ramey) Liby, in Wichita. They made their home in the Wichita/Udall area, until moving to Glasco in 1999. They were privileged to spend more than 36 years of marriage together until Phyllis passed away in August 2011.

Jim attended school in Augusta, Kansas, leaving high school after only 1 year, on his 16th birthday. With his father's failing health, he felt his time would be better spent tending to the family farm and taking care of his father. After his father's passing, Jim went to work as a mechanic at FORD Motor Company. He would leave FORD to go to work at Rainbo Bread Company, as a Chief Engineer. He would hold this job for 31 years, at the time of his retirement.

In his spare time, Jim loved to go fishing, camping, and traveling around with Phyllis to go gambling. He also enjoyed collecting and working on old cars, starting with the very first car he bought, a 1922 FORD Model T.

He dearly loved his children, grandchildren, great grandchildren, and will always be "The dad he didn't have to be".

In addition to his wife, he was preceded in death by his parents; step-father, Bill Brenner; sons, Lonnie and Brad Liby; and daughter, LaVerna Higle.

Jim is survived by his children, Mark Rountree of Austin, TX, Deborah Camp (Scott) of North Carolina, Doug Liby (Shelly) of Glasco, 24 grandchildren, 34 great grandchildren, many great-great grandchildren, other relatives, and countless friends.

Funeral services will be at 1:30 PM Friday, April 5 at the Glasco Veterans of Foreign Wars Post 7697 Hall with burial following in Glasco Cemetery. Visitation will be from 6-7:30 PM Thursday at the Dean Funeral Home. Memorials may be given to St. Jude's Children's Hospital.