James W. Hare, 97, of Conway Springs, passed away Thursday, November 23, 2023 at Spring View Manor, Conway Springs, KS.

James William Hare was born April 25, 1926 on a farm southeast of Conway Springs Kansas to Robert Theodore Hare and Ova Flora Mae (Benge) Hare. Jim grew up in the Conway Springs community. He attended Science Valley Country School and Conway Springs High School. He was drafted his senior year and entered the U.S. Army on August 29, 1944. He served his country stationed in Central Europe during World War II. He was honorably discharged on July 13, 1947. He would later proudly receive his high school diploma in 2002.

Jim was united in marriage to Betty Lou Ross on July 13, 1947 at the Presbyterian Church, Wellington, KS. They made their first home in Wellington where Jim got a job washing cars for the local Chevrolet Dealer. They were soon offered the opportunity to rent a farm southwest of Conway Springs and later moved to the E.J. Frantz quarter. They eventually purchased the land and built a new home on it in 1978.

Jim was an active member of the Conway Springs Methodist Church and involved in numerous capacities and committees for many years. He was a creative builder and enjoyed making traps, hunting, fishing and gardening. Some knew Jim as the “Skunkman.”

He was preceded in death by his parents, two brothers: Alfred Hare and Jesse Hare, Sr., two sisters: Esther Mae Lynch, Ruth Cash and son-in-law Paul Achenbach.

Jim is survived by his wife Betty Hare; two daughters: Jean Dennett and husband Gary and Jeanette Achenbach and all of Conway Springs, KS; one sister Dorothy Bauer of Scranton, Arkansas; 4 grandchildren; 2 step-grandchildren; 10 great grandchildren; 2 step-great grandchildren; 2 great great grandchildren and a number of other relatives and friends. 

Funeral services were conducted at 10:30 a.m. Thursday, November 30, 2023 from the Conway Springs Methodist Church, Conway Springs, KS. Interment was in Conway Springs Cemetery, Conway Springs, Kansas.  Ebersole Mortuary, Conway Springs was in charge of arrangements. Online guest book and condolences are available at www.ebersolemortuary.com.

Memorials have been established to the Conway Springs Methodist Church and Conway Springs EMS.