James Dean Best

James Dean Best, 53, of Waverly, Kansas passed away Monday, February 17, 2014 at Miami County Medical Center, Paola, Kansas. Graveside inurnment services will be held at Richmond Cemetery, 11:00 A.M., Saturday, March 1, 2014. James was born on December 12, 1960 in Yuba City, California, the son of Jerry Dean and Alberta (Ellis) Best. He has lived in Waverly, Kansas for the past nine years. He also resided in Miami and Franklin County, Kansas. James graduated from Central Heights High School with the class of 1979. Following his graduation he received his LPN license from Area Vocational Technical School in Kansas City, Kansas. He also received training as a boilermaker in Kansas City, Missouri. On September 3, 1997, James was united in marriage with Donna Wilson in Ottawa, Kansas. She survives of the home. Survivors include his eight children; Alissa Best-Caswell and husband Dusty of Waverly, Kansas, Derek Best and fiancé Patty Minick of Waverly, Kansas, Nicholas Shesler-Best and wife Sarah of Ottawa, Kansas, Jeremiah Best and wife Jessica of Paola, Kansas, Ethan Thomas-Best and wife Joanne of Austin, Texas, Michelle Rene Zapata of Minneapolis, Minnesota, Jennifer Twyford and husband Warren of Lake Waukomis, Missouri and Mathew Howard of Shawnee Mission, Kansas; twenty-four grandchildren and one great grandchild; brother Richard Best of Little Rock, Arkansas; sister Lucinda Johnson of Missouri. He was preceded in death by his parents, grandson Jace Best, granddaughters Ayden Best and Zoey Schendel. James worked at Villa St. Francis in Overland Park, Kansas for four years as the LPN night supervisor. He also worked for Care Staff Nursing in Overland Park, Kansas as a LPN for fifteen years and as a boilermaker local 83 in Kansas City, Missouri for two years. James was an avid outdoorsman. He enjoyed going fishing, hunting and camping with family and friends. The family suggests memorial contributions to the James Dean Best Memorial Fund c/o Dengel & Son Mortuary, 235 S. Hickory, Ottawa, Kansas 66067. An online Guest Book is available at www.dengelmortuary.com.