James Edward Neighbors

James Edward Neighbors passed away April 13, 2024. He was 86 years young at heart. James was born to John and Edith (Groner) Neighbors at their home on the old Farm in St. Paul, Kansas, on January 30, 1938. He was the third of three children. The family sold the farm and moved to Parsons, KS. In or about 1950 he attended grade school at O'Dell Country School, St. Paul; St. Francis in St. Paul; and St. Mary's Grade School in Parsons, grades six through eight. He then went on to West Jr. High School and graduated from Parsons High School in May 1956. He enlisted into the Navy June 2, 1956 and went to Great Lakes Naval Training Center for Basic Training for 12 weeks. Making a career of the Navy, Retiring as a Senior Chief Signalman in 1977. He served on the USS Valley Forge CVS-45, USS John R. Pierce DD-753, USS Gyatt DDG-1 (Worlds First Guided Missile Destroyer), USS N.K. Perry DDR-883, USS Basilone DD-824 and USS Wilkinson DL-5. He was an instructor in Visual Communications at Gitmo Bay, Cuba for 2 years. Naval Recruiter in Bartlesville, OK from 1970-1975 and completed his career as an instructor in Visual Communication at Ref-Tra, San Diego, CA September 15, 1977. He was married to Myra A. Walton January 7, 1961 in Parsons, Ks and had three wonderful children: Michael James Neighbors, Christopher Alan Neighbors, and Debra Ann Neighbors. Jim and Myra divorced in 1981. He married his loving wife Patricia G (Cole) Neighbors May 25th 1982 in Las Vegas, Nevada... you might say he hit the jackpot...(humor) lol. He helped maintain the household along beside his wife, two sons and his wonderful Stepson Keith M. Kearns. Mike, his oldest child was killed in an auto accident July 1982. It was really a rough start for the remaining family as we all loved each other dearly. His daughter Debbie lived with her mother in Dewey, OK. Chris and Keith were separated by only 4 days in age, so we had two graduating high school at the same time. Upon retirement from the Navy in September of 77 James worked at Phillips Petroleum Co. in Security and then the Power Plant until 1979. He began his second career with the US Postal Service , working 20 years as a letter carrier before retiring April 30, 1999. He carried routes in Jane Phillips addition, Pennington addition, and the Mall Area, Nowata Road, 75 South to Price Rd and Silverlake and all in between. Jim also worked with his wife at Conoco Phillips for about 10 years and both quit in 2013. She called him one day and asked him if he wanted to come and work with several women. He had something smart to say but showed up and we continued on for about 10 years. Enjoyed every minute!!! He was preceded in death by parents, John and Edith (Groner) Neighbors; sister, Jean Marie (Neighbors) Cox of Bailey, CO; brother, John Joseph Neighbors of Littleton, CO; both spouses, Martin Cox and Betty Neighbors. Jim is survived by loving wife, Pat Neighbors and 3 special pups that kept him going, son, Christopher Neighbors and Jessica Yusuf; daughter Debra Hoppock (spouse Billy), two grandsons, Michael Neighbors and Garrett Thornbrugh; granddaughter, Rachel Tucker (spouse Cody); great granddaughter, Ellie Jade Tucker 3 months old and numerous nieces and nephews.

James Edward Neighbors

January 30, 1938 - April 13, 2024