Copeland - James Milton O'Bleness, son of the late John Richard and Sarah Ernestine Ferguson O'Bleness was born on December 13th 1939 in Ashland Kansas And passed away April 30th 2025 at the age of 85 years and 4 months. James attended high school in Ingalls Kansas graduating in 1957. He was an allstar football and basketball player as well as track athlete.

Upon graduating from High School, James entered the US Army and served as a military policeman in Korea and Japan. Once returning from duty in the Army, he met Marcia Kay Wyckoff in Cimarron Kansas and was married shortly thereafter on August 26th 1961. To this Union was born three children, Lance Lane, Karina Kay, and Neil Olin.

"Big Jim" as he was known much of his adult life was a life-long over-the-road truck driver beginning when he first drove the bus for Ingalls High School. After service in the Army, he drove and delivered LNG, hauled hay, cattle, bulls, grain and propane for most of his life until moving to Copeland, Kansas in 1999. He worked for Gray County for a period of time while working hauling US Mail part-time from Dodge City. He eventually took a full time position with MCA Trucking, a contractor for the US Mail in 2001 and continued his employment there until he retired at age 73.

He loved working in his yard and working on his lawn as well as tinkering with his antique cars and pickups.

James was preceded in death by his parents, his younger brothers Gayle O'Bleness and Johnny O'Bleness. James is survived by his wife, Marcia Kay, his oldest sister Marileen Kidder, his youngest sister Nora Sauer and her husband Dwight of Sterling, Kansas, his brother Danny Miller and wife Kathy, his brother Arlen Miller and his sister Carla Unruh and husband, Bob. His three children, Lance O'Bleness, Karina Kornele and Neil O'Bleness and many nieces, nephews, cousins, grandchildren and one great grandson.

Funeral service will be held at the Copeland Methodist Church on Monday May 5, 2025 at 11:00 AM with Pastor Doug Harris presiding.  Burial will follow at the Cimarron Cemetery in Cimarron with full military honors by Fort Riley Honor Guard and SWKS Veteran's Funeral Honors. Visitation will be at Swaim Funeral Chapel of Montezuma on Sunday, May 4, 2025 from Noon to 5:00PM. Memorials are suggested to the Copeland Methodist Church in care of the funeral home.  Thoughts and memories may be shared in the online guest book at www.swaimfuneralhome.com.