Jimmy Othel (Jim) Troyer was born August 14, 1942, on the family farm outside of Thornburg Kansas. He departed this life July 5th, 2026, after bravely battling but ultimately losing a battle with COPD.

Jim was the last child born to the union of Beulah (Carnagey) Troyer and Bazaleel (Bazzie) Othel Troyer Jr.

Shortly after Jim was born Bazzie was tragically killed in a truck accident.

Left a widow with 4 children Beulah was helped by Bazzie's brother, Bluford (Bud) Troyer, a widower with 4 children of his own. In a 1940's version reminiscent of The Brady Bunch the two families became one when Bud married Beulah. Jim never knew anyone other than Bud as his father.

Growing up Jim worked on the farm with his two older brothers and his older sister. One story Jim told, which was verified by both his brothers Bob and Ray involved sliding down the tin roof of the lean-to hog shed, landing on a hog and then riding until you were "bucked" off. Apparently, Bud was not too happy when he came home to find his nephews/sons riding the livestock. That was a onetime occurrence ending with a rather large and painful exclamation point after which the boys knew for certain he was their father for all intents and purposes and always would be.

When Jim was still quite young he and his blended family moved to Fort Morgan Colorado where Jim attended school. As Jim grew, he became an avid horse lover. A love he maintained for life. When he was about 10 years old an unfortunate accident occurred where a horse fell pinning Jim underneath and breaking both legs. It's thought some of Jim's smaller stature was due to his legs being unable to grow further after the accident. However, he did not let the accident assuage his love for equines.

While still a boy Jim got a horse named Champ. Champ was a horse so special that when Jim wanted his first car his father thought he would never sell Champ to get one. He was wrong. It was a decision Jim would describe as heartbreaking for the rest of his life (except for what happened after). After getting the car Jim met his lifelong love, Jeri, through her older sister Joie. Joie and Jeri lied about Jeri's age, saying she was two years older, so Jim would date her.

Jim and Geraldine (Boyles), Jeri, were married October 17, 1960. At the time Jim worked as a horse trainer and jockey with the couple living in a camper on the property. To this union three children were born: Laura Lu (passed 1961), Randy Othel, and Jamie VeraMae.

Jim and Jeri moved from Fort Morgan to Burlington Colorado after the loss of their first child. Jeri's family was originally from Burlington and they moved there so Jim could take a job at a service station and Jeri would be near her grandparents and older sister.

They would spend most of their marriage living in and around Burlington. From a small house in town to a few acres north of town. After a brief time in Goodland Kansas they moved back to that same small house they had been trying to sell where they lived while building a new home. That home, affectionately known as Little Acreage Ranch was on 40 acres south of Burlington. They resided there from 1976 until 2016 when they moved to the Kansas City area to again be near family.

Jim worked in several fields during his lifetime including grocery, trucking, HVAC, and retail. He was also a trained and licensed auctioneer after the Little Colonel completed auctioneer school in Kansas City. After retirement he and Jeri spent several years at the ranch until moving to Smithville in 2016 to be nearer their children.

Jim was preceded in death by his oldest child, Laura Lu in 1961, his first grandchild Richard (Rick) Othel in 2008, his parents, brothers and sisters as well as his cousins/step siblings and his beloved dogs Max and Buddy (Buster). He is survived by his wife of nearly 66 years, Jeri, his son Randy, his daughter Jamie (David) Cummings all of Smithville, granddaughter Nicole (Alex) Hawn of Mission Hills Kansas, grandson Joseph Cummings of Kansas City Missouri, great grandsons PFC Dakota Troyer of Fort Carson Colorado and newest member of the family, Charles Hawn of Mission Hills as well as many nieces, nephews, friends and acquaintances.

Most anyone who ever met Jim would not describe him as shy. He had a gift for giving everyone their own special bond with him. He would likely give them a special name and bless their lives with several of his funny sayings, phrases, or made-up words. If you don't stand under that then you're probably not used to being told "I love you more on my front door." You've never eaten a true full meal deal nor had a bowl of caltane chili that had a real good scour on it.

With that this is Studebaker, his number one cowboy, thankful the pain is finally gone so his pops is finally really resting an eye, able to again hear, see and breathe. Out and over!