James Olander

Olander, James Barnes (Jim) went to be with the Lord on Wednesday, February 18, 2015. His Celebration of Life service will be held at First Presbyterian Church, 525 N. Broadway, Wichita, Kansas, 67214 on Friday, February 27, 2015, at 3:00 pm. Due to construction, church ushers will be available to direct you to the sanctuary. Prior to the service, a private family graveside service will be held at Kensington Gardens. Jim was born on January 2, 1928 to Lenore Barnes Olander and Carl Elwin Olander in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma. When he was just a couple years old, Jim’s mother Lenore died of pneumonia. In Oct. 1933, Jim’s dad married Gwendolyn Nagle of Iowa City, Iowa. In 1934, Jim and his family moved to Wichita, Kansas. Jim attended Hyde Elementary, Robinson Middle School, and East High School, where he lettered in swimming. Upon graduation from high school, Jim enrolled at the University of Kansas, earning a Bachelor of Science in Business. He was an active member of Phi Gamma Delta where he made many lifelong friends. In September of his senior year, Jim met the love of his life, Carol Forbes. Graduating from KU in the spring of 1950, Jim enlisted in the United States Air Force and was stationed in Alexandria, LA. On March 4, 1951, Jim and Carol were married in Eureka, Kansas and enjoyed 64 wonderful years of married life together. Receiving an honorable discharge in September 1953, Jim and Carol moved to Wichita and Jim joined the family business, Ferguson-Olander Ford. His true passion however was homebuilding. In 1956 he formed Olander Construction Company, designing and building custom homes and commercial buildings. Jim was a longtime member of the Wichita Area Builders Association, serving as President in 1972. He retired from professional construction in 1994, but spent the remainder of his life building relationships with friends and those he loved. Jim loved being a husband, father, grandfather and great-grandfather and could frequently be found playing on the floor with his five great-grandchildren. A humble, kind and generous man, Jim always had a “twinkle in his eye” and a great sense of humor. A gentleman and man of character and integrity, Jim was an incredible role model for his children and grandchildren, who all adored him. In addition to his family, Jim enjoyed golf, with 3 hole-in-ones to his credit, tennis, fishing, hunting and KU basketball. The last thirty plus years, Carol and Jim spent a month each summer in Crested Butte, Colorado, hosting friends, spoiling family and sharing and making wonderful memories. Jim loved the Lord and was an example of how to live his faith amongst family and friends. He was an active member of First Presbyterian Church since the age of six. As a member, he served on the Board of Trustees, Board of the First Presbyterian Wichita Foundation, Inc. and as a deacon and elder. He was also active in bible studies and a dinner club with many long-time friends. Jim was dedicated to helping others in the Wichita Community. Amongst his many community activities, he was most passionate about the Wichita Children’s Home, where he was a volunteer and advisory board member for over 40 years. He also delivered Meals on Wheels for many years with his good friend, Tom Pryor. During his illness, Jim received great joy and comfort through the loving support and prayers of his family, many great friends, Harry Hynes Memorial Hospice, the staff at Larksfield and his friend and physician, Ray F. Fisher, MD. Jim was preceded in death by his parents and brother, Carl Elwin Olander, Jr. and is survived by his wife, Carol; children: Karen Olander Davis (Randy), Kenneth James Olander and Pam Olander Bruce (George), all of Wichita; grandchildren: Erin Davis Moeller (Clark) of Wichita, Emily Davis Mangrum (Charlie), of Washington D.C., Ellie Davis Beckler (Dan) of San Jose, CA, George Michael Bruce (Ally) of Annapolis, MD, Elizabeth Forbes Bruce of Nashville, TN, Caroline Bruce McAndrew (Tom) of Wichita and Jamie Bruce Vieitez (Jose) of Denver, CO and five great-grandchildren: Teddy and Davis Moeller, Peyton Beckler, George R. Bruce and Eveleigh McAndrew. Memorials have been established with the Wichita Children’s Home, 810 N. Holyoke, Wichita, KS 67208 and Harry Hynes Memorial Hospice, 313 S. Market, Wichita, KS 67202. Share condolences at www.CozineMemorial.com. Services by Broadway Mortuary.

Funeral Service

Time: 3:00pm, Friday, February 27, 2015 Place: First Presbyterian Church
525 N. Broadway, Wichita, KS 67214

Burial

Place: Kensington Gardens
11500 E. 21st St. N., Wichita, KS 67206

Memorials

Wichita Children's Home
810 N. Holyoke
Wichita, KS 67208

Harry Hynes Memorial Hospice
313 S. Market
Wichita, KS 67202.

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