Jim Skahan

(From Derfelt Funeral Home)

James A. Skahan, 94, of Columbus, Kansas, passed away of natural causes on July 17, 2023, at his residence in Columbus with family by his bedside. 

Jim was born December 14, 1928, in Turck, Kansas to Thomas Dewey Skahan and Margaret Helen (Rae) Skahan. He was the seventh of eight siblings: Tom, Mary Margaret, Gene, Cliff, Deana, Donna, and Michael. 

He was united in marriage to his high school sweetheart Betty Jean Mast on November 24th, 1949, at St. Rose of Lima Catholic Church, Columbus, Kansas. They were married for 62 years until her passing in August 2010. He attended a Class of '46 high school reunion where he reunited and eventually married a classmate, Marceline "Shanty" Cole, in 2013.

Jim graduated from Columbus High School, Class of 1946 and immediately joined the Navy. After his discharge, he earned his Bachelor’s Degree in Education from Pittsburg State University. Later in life, he earned a Master’s Degree in Health Care Administration from Central Michigan University. He was a veteran of World War II, serving as a Navy corpsman where he attained the rank of Seaman 1st Class stationed in Okinawa, Japan. 

At the time of his death, he was a member of St. Rose of Lima Catholic Church, Columbus, Kansas. Prior to he attended Sacred Heart Catholic Church, Norborne, Missouri and St. Mary's Catholic Church, Carrollton, Missouri. 

He previously resided in Carthage, Missouri, until 1962 when the family moved to Carrollton, Missouri, where he stayed until 2013. During his time in Carrollton, he served the community in many capacities from Cub Scout Master, Boy Scout Master, Little League coach, and basketball coach for St. Mary's 4th -8th grade team. He was an integral part in starting the girls’ basketball program at the high school in the mid 1970’s. 

He served as an officer in his local and state VFW, of which he was most proud, where he assisted many a Veteran with benefits unknown to them. He was also a member of the American Legion Post #3 in Columbus, KS.

Jim was an avid Notre Dame fan, an even bigger KU supporter and would occasionally root for Kansas State when there was nothing better on TV. Of course, he followed his Alma Mater, Pittsburg State University Gorillas especially during their glory years in football. 

He was a private pilot and had attained his Commercial Rating and a member of the Civil Air Patrol Unit in Carrollton, MO. A robust reader, especially of Westerns, he went through every author and many volumes until Macular Degeneration forced him to resort to the iPad and iPhone for audio books to continue his addiction to the written word. 

And that iPhone and iPad became his lifeline to his family and friends. He so loved technology and was always fascinated he could Facetime friends and family halfway across the world.

Jim started his real-world employment as a 4th grade teacher in Hutchison, Kansas before moving to Carthage, Missouri where he spent five years as an insurance agent with Met Life. He was hired as the Business Manager at McCune-Brooks Hospital and was soon promoted to Hospital Administrator. He served there until 1962 when he was named the Hospital Administrator for Kelling Clinic and Hospital, Waverly, Missouri, a post he held for 18 years.

He was one of the original four partners in building and owning Riverview Heights Nursing Home, Waverly, MO in 1972 as well as Director until 1980.

He then became The Director of Education for 12 hospitals in Northeast Missouri before becoming Administrator at Ray County Memorial Hospital, Richmond, Missouri for three years until his retirement--or so he thought! He was coaxed out of retirement to be named Executive Director of OATS Transportation, the largest transportation system for senior citizens in the state of Missouri. He re-retired in 1994 and spent his time as Mayor for four years, playing golf every day with his beloved caddy, Pooh, as a proud member of the Carrollton Country Club. He enjoyed owning and managing several rental homes throughout the town in his spare time.

Professionally, Jim was a member of the Board of Directors of the Hospital Association of Greater Kansas City, the Missouri Hospital Association and continued as part owner of Riverview Heights Nursing Home, now Apple Ridge Care Center, Waverly, Missouri, where it continues in business after 50 years.

He was preceded in death by his parents, Thomas Dewey and Margaret Helen Skahan, four brothers and three sisters (Tom, Mary Margaret, Gene, Cliff, Deana, Donna, and Michael), his wife of 62 years, Betty Jean (Mast) Skahan and a son, David Jeffery Skahan as well as his second wife, Marceline "Shanty" Cole. Survivors include four children; Dr. J. Michael Skahan (Jeanne) of Springfield, Missouri, Stephan A. Skahan (Debbie) of Blue Springs, Missouri, Philip T. Skahan (Connie) of Gladstone, Missouri and Mary Elizabeth "Liz" Skahan of Overland Park, Kansas. 

In addition, there are 12 grandchildren and eleven great-grandchildren, all of whom he cherished in his own way. Also surviving are numerous nieces, nephews, and cousins, many of whom would come to visit and care for him over the course of his last year. And lastly, Kitt the cat.

Visitation and Rosary will be Saturday, August 12, 2023, beginning at 10:00am, at St. Rose of Lima Catholic Church, Columbus, Kansas. Funeral Mass and a celebration of life immediately follows. Interment of his cremated remains will be at Park Cemetery at the conclusion of Mass. In lieu of flowers, the family suggests donations be made to St. Rose of Lima Catholic Church, Columbus, KS and or VFW Post #1773 Pence-Lovell-England Carrollton, MO in Jim’s honor.

The family wishes to especially thank Christina “Christy” Smith of Phoenix Health Care, Joplin, MO who literally became part of the family during her time caring for Jim and support of the family. Also, the VA Home Base Primary Care Unit out of Parsons, KS, and Henry Hynes Memorial Hospice, Pittsburg, KS for their guidance and care of both Jim and the family.