Robert W. "Jesse" James

Robert W. “Jesse” James, 74, of Ottawa, Kansas, passed away Sunday, August 28, 2016, at the University of Kansas Medical Center, Kansas City, Kansas. A graveside service will be held at 10:00 A.M., Thursday, September 1, 2016, at Highland Cemetery, Ottawa. The family will meet with friends from 7:00 P.M. to 8:00 P.M., Wednesday, August 31, 2016, at Dengel & Son Mortuary. Jesse was born Monday, December 22, 1941, in Ottawa, the son of Robert and Virginia (Diamond) James. He was a lifelong Ottawa resident. He attended Ottawa public schools. Survivors include his three children, Kevin James and wife Dee, Cary James and wife Ruby, and Kelli James-Berr and husband Chris all of Ottawa; two sisters, Barbara Cowdin of Topeka and Sharon Howard of Ottawa; seven grandchildren, Jessica Stinson, Margo Hughes, Jeffery James, Tanner Abbott, Haley Jo Sutton, Jordan Bellinger, and Joshua Berr; five great grandchildren, Kinley and Kolby Stinson, Ebony and Emery Hughes, and Kaisyn Wilhite; aunts, Myrtle Haas and Francis Roller both of Ottawa; uncle, David Diamond of Ottawa; and many cousins and friends. He was preceded in death by his parents, Robert and Virginia James; and brother, Larry James. Jesse was employed at Robertson Ford and Ottawa Truck both of Ottawa, Moorman Buick in Topeka, and Sunmaster in Olathe. He drove for several trucking firms some local, some over the road. He bought his first truck, an older cab over Peterbilt and operated it a few years. In 1980, after selling his truck, he went to work for Daniel Construction helping to build the nuclear plant at Burlington. When he completed that job he followed them to North Carolina where he helped build the nuclear plant in Raleigh. After a few months he came home and purchased another truck and trailer and from there the Robert W. “Jesse” James Truck Express was born. He eventually owned seven trucks and trailers hauling rock, sand, and etc. to construction sites. In the winter he also hauled road salt to several locations. In 1993, he acquired his pride and joy, his big yellow “Pete”. He toured the Peterbilt factory in Denton, Texas, and had it designed to his specifications. On the cab's dash was a plaque that stated it was built for him. That truck was the one thing he was most proud of. It was a very sad day when it sold. He built some mini-storage units and operated them along with his trucking company until he retired due to health reasons. He enjoyed motorcycles, cars, old and new, and of course trucks. He restored several cars over the years and attended a lot of car shows winning many trophies and plaques. One of his favorite awards was from a show at the Leavenworth Penitentiary where the prisoners awarded him a trophy they made selecting his car as their top choice. He was a member of the Abdallah Shrine Temple of Overland Park with the Franklin County Unit. The family suggests memorial contributions to the Franklin County Diabetes Association c/o Dengel & Son Mortuary, 235 S. Hickory, Ottawa, Kansas 66067. Family and friends are encouraged to post their condolences and memories on Jesse’s Tribute Wall at www.dengelmortuary.com