James E. Odgers

James "Jim" Elmer Odgers, 70, of Wamego, Kansas, passed away peacefully on April 2, 2025, after several months of living with complications from a stroke.

Visitation will be held on Friday, April 11, 2025, from noon to 8 p.m. at Ward Funeral Home in Washington, with the family receiving friends from 5 to 7 p.m. 

A funeral service will be held at 1 p.m. on Saturday, April 12, 2025, at Ward Funeral Home in Washington, followed by burial at Washington City Cemetery.

Jim was a loving father to Sarah Odgers Kennedy and Curtis Odgers and a proud grandfather to Ian and Quinn Kennedy and Wyatt and Waverly Odgers. He is survived by his sister, Jan Bender. He was preceded in death by his parents, Elmer Odgers and Mary VanScoyoc Odgers, his sister, Bev Caron, and his infant sister, Mildred Odgers.

Jim led a life marked by curiosity and an appreciation for knowledge, which inspired him to pursue many hobbies and interests over the years. He was an avid painter and aspiring writer whose creativity found expression both on canvas and paper, reflecting his thoughtful and imaginative spirit. Jim’s love of books and patronage of the local library led him to serve on the Wamego Public Library’s Board of Trustees, embodying his lifelong love of learning.

Jim’s hands and heart were deeply invested in preserving history and nature. As a skilled craftsman, he performed restorative masonry work on historic buildings in Wamego and the surrounding area, leaving behind tangible reminders of his dedication and craftsmanship.

One of Jim’s enduring passions was his desire to contribute to the rehabilitation of monarch butterfly habitats. He dedicated countless hours to restoring natural environments and creating micro-habitats of milkweed in an effort to combat the butterflies’ declining populations.

Jim’s life was marked by his loquacious nature, abundant creativity, and a profound curiosity about the world around him. He was also a dedicated runner who completed the Chicago Marathon in 1999, raising funds for the Leukemia Society of America. His legacy will live on in the hearts of his family, the buildings he restored, the art he created, and the passion for preserving monarch habitats that he sparked in others.

In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made in his honor to MonarchWatch.org, reflecting his enduring desire, even in his final days, to save monarch butterflies.