James R. McNeley, 89, of Fort Scott, passed away Friday evening, January 8, 2021, at the Girard Medical Center. He was born December 30, 1931, in Fort Scott, Kansas, the son of Loren “Bud” and Alice (Cotter) McNeley. He married Madelyn Picht on December 26, 1953, in the Presbyterian Church parlor. She preceded him in death January 24, 2011.
Jim attended Fort Scott schools and St. Andrews Episcopal Church, where he sang in the church choir. He later served four years in the US Navy. With his father, they operated McNeley Power Equipment Company for many years. Jim studied for the ministry and became a priest and later the Bishop, in the Anglican Catholic Church. He served in the church in Fort Scott and later in Kansas City. After retirement, he attended All Saints Anglican Church in Chicopee, Kansas.
Jim is survived by two daughters, Gina (Jack) Karleskint of Fort Scott, and Mary Katherine McNeley of Grant’s Pass, Oregon; six grandchildren, Matthew (Kati) Karleskint, Doug (Kyla) Karleskint, Michael Karleskint, Aaron Stetz, Leif Stetz, and Meghan Stetz, and five great-grandchildren, Alli, Lilli, Graci, Jadin, and Jackson Karleskint. In addition to his wife Madelyn, Jim was also preceded in death by his parents.
Rt. Rev. Martin Dickinson will officiate services at 12:30 p.m. Thursday, May 27, 2021, at the Konantz-Cheney Funeral Home with burial following at the Fort Scott National Cemetery at 1:30 p.m. Memorials are suggested to All Saints Anglican Church and may be left in the care of the Konantz-Cheney Funeral Home, 15 W. Wall Street, P.O. Box 309, Fort Scott, Kansas, 66701. Condolences may be submitted to the online guestbook at konantz-cheney.com.
