James Henry De Coursey Jr.

1932 - 2016

JAMES HENRY DE COURSEY, JR. James Henry De Coursey, 84, Topeka, passed away Monday, October 17, 2016. Jim was born July 7, 1932, in Kansas City, Kan., the son of James and Jennie Mathews De Coursey. He attended St. Peter Grade School and graduated from Bishop Ward High School in Kansas City, Kansas in 1950, the University of Notre Dame in 1954 and earned his Juris Doctorate from the University of Kansas in 1959. Jim was a member of ROTC while at Notre Dame and served our country as a lieutenant in the US Navy. On Aug. 16, 1958, Jim and Joyce Ann Brewer were united in marriage at Redemptorist Church in Kansas City, Mo., celebrating 58 years together this summer. Jim was elected Lieutenant Governor of the State of Kansas in 1968. He served in cabinet level positions at the pleasure of several governors of both parties. He served as director of banks in the Kansas City community and remained involved in banking for the rest of his life. Grateful to have shared his life are his wife, Joyce De Coursey; children, James H. De Coursey III and his wife Linda, Timothy Patrick De Coursey and his wife Elaine, Mary Colleen De Coursey and her husband David Brennan, Jr., and Theodore Edwin De Coursey and his wife Wynne; grandchildren, Timothy Patrick, Jr., Joyce Maire, Connor Patrick, David James, Caroline Madden, Nell Margaret, Kendall Anne and James Henry. He was preceded in death by siblings, Edwin, Mary Agnes and Sr. Mary Edwin SCL. Visitation was at Christ the King Catholic Church, Topeka KS 66614, followed by a parish rosary. Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated at 10 a.m. today at Christ the King Church. Burial will follow in Mount Calvary Cemetery. In lieu of flowers, contributions are suggested to Midland Care Hospice or to St. Francis Cancer Center, sent in care of Kevin Brennan Family Funeral Home, 2801 SW Urish Road, Topeka KS 66614. Condolences may be sent to www.kevinbrennanfamily.com