James Strahle

1948 - 2023

James Strahle
October 24, 1948 - January 31, 2023
San Diego, California - James Byron Strahle, of San Diego, CA, formerly of Kansas City, passed away unexpectedly on January 31, 2023, at the age of 74. Jim accomplished what he set out to do and lived life well. He had a knack for finding, appreciating and creating things of beauty and whimsy. Jim's enthusiasm for life was contagious, and he truly believed "Life is Good."
Jim was a 1966 graduate of Parkview High School in Springfield, MO, where he began drawing cartoons for the school newspaper. However, it was ten years later, at the mark of his reunion, that he was prompted to finally face his fears about cartooning and work toward his dream job. A resident of Iola, KS at the time, he was inspired by his young family and their antics to start Strahle's Bailiwick, which he regularly wrote and illustrated for four area newspapers (Iola, Humboldt, Yates Center and Emporia). Over the next fifteen years, he would publish more than 1600 cartoons and five books. His sixth and final book, "Best of Straylee's Bailiwick" was printed in 2009. Jim's family-friendly content appeared in several national publications, including three issues of Woman's World in 2022.
Jim and his first wife, Joan, spent twenty-plus years in Iola, raising their two children and eventually owning a few small businesses. Jim served in the USMCR ('67-'73) and worked at Inter-Collegiate Press for eight years. While there, he received a grant from the Department of Energy for improving the efficiency of their silk screening process. His next career move was joining the Humboldt Union newspaper as Sports Editor, Advertising Manager and Cartoonist. In the 1980s, he and his family owned Ad Services, Iola Video, Chanute Video and Something Unique. The latter was a novelty photo studio showcasing Jim's "Preserve Your Memories" invention. Polaroid offered to buy his idea and technology, but Jim retained ownership and grew this business with franchises. In 1992, Jim started a Community Supported TV Network, the first in Kansas, where he featured local events and produced a weekly show called, "See, Hear, Iola!" In 2001, Jim joined Kansas City Missouri Police Department and thrived in various roles with Media Relations until his retirement in 2013.
Jim loved adventure! At different times in his life he owned motorcycles, Jeeps, convertibles, sailboats, canoes and powered parachutes. He also got to experience flight in a blimp, hot air balloon, glider and several helicopters. Thankfully, there were just a few stories of near misses and death-defying feats. Jim was in his mid-fifties when he found his life partner, Nancy, who shared his love for life and adventure. The couple was newly retired when Jim suggested they sell everything and travel the country in an RV for five years. Nancy said YES and off they went. The two of them packed so much love and life into every moment of their travels. While on the road, Jim checked off a bucket-list item and performed original stand-up comedy sets for an audience in Yuma, AZ and another in KC. Jim loved telling stories and making people laugh! After settling in San Diego in 2020, Jim's adventures continued as he rode his e-bike through neighborhoods, beaches, canyons and hilly landscapes.
Jim led his life from the heart and with gusto. He treasured his loved ones and is deeply mourned by them as well as many family and friends. Jim is missed by his wife of 18 years, Nancy (Weldy); children Jennifer Strahle and Jimmy Strahle; bonus children Scott Richards (Brandy) and Krista Richards Fey (Chad); grandchildren Mayhaya and Stone Strahle and Cara Phelan; sisters Julie Tatum and Jo Ellen Strahle; and the mother of his children, Joan Edwards.
"I want to be remembered as a cartoonist - not because of my success in making a living, but for those times I might have made people smile."
Please share your favorite Straylee's Bailiwick cartoons in remembrance and honor of Jim Strahle with #JimStrahleCartoon or your Jim stories with his family.
Celebration of Life is scheduled for June 13, at the Kansas City Regional Police Academy, 6885 NE Pleasant Valley Rd, Kansas City, MO 64119, Visitation at 2 p.m., followed by 3 p.m. service.
Celebration of Life is scheduled for June 15, at Lake Springfield Boathouse, 2312 Lake Springfield Park Rd, Springfield, MO 65804, Visitation at 1:45 p.m., followed by 2:15 p.m. service.
For additional information, please visit Poway-Bernardo Mortuary in San Diego. https://www.powaybernardomortuary.net/obituary/james-strahle