James Morris Bachman

James Morris "Jim" Bachman, age 89, of Kearney, MO passed away Monday, September 29, 2025. He was born December 22, 1935 in Osawatomie, KS to Phillip and Mary Catherine (Sharp) Bachman.

As a child he enjoyed pretending he was in the military, swimming, playing baseball and football with the neighborhood kids. He also liked riding his bike, but with five of them sharing it, it wasn't available often.

He attended Osawatomie schools for his elementary years. His freshman and sophomore years he attended Maur Hill Catholic School in Atchison, KS. He returned to Osawatomie and finished his last two years of high school graduating in 1954. Jim enlisted in the US Navy following graduation. He spent two years in Atsugi, Japan and served the following two years in Hutchison, KS and was honorably discharged in 1958.

Jim worked as an airplane mechanic with the Kansas City Flying Service at the downtown airport. It was there he met Barbara and they were married August 23, 1960.

Barbara had two children, David and Suzanne from a previous marriage. Jim loved children and adopted both children soon after their daughter Debbie was born.

In 1963, Jim went to work for Kenworth Truck Company. Kenworth paid for Jim to attend Park College and he graduated with an Industrial Engineering degree. He worked as a staff Industrial Engineer until the Kenworth plant closed in 1986. From there, Jim began traveling with Paccar, who owned Kenworth and Peterbilt trucks. He was an Industrial Engineer and consultant/troubleshooter. Jim and Barbara were able to travel together during this time. Jim worked and lived in Hendersonville, TN, Montreal, Canada, England and New Mexico. He also worked in Melbourne, Australia for six months and then retired in 1998. He and Barbara relocated to Galena, MO following Jim's retirement and lived there about twenty years. Barbara passed away in 2019 and he moved to Westbrook in Kearney, MO to be closer to his family.

Jim enjoyed hunting, fishing and woodworking. He dearly loved his family and always enjoyed playing with all of his grandchildren.

He was preceded in death by his wife Barbara of 59 years, his son David Bachman, his parents, brothers Donald Trumbly, Francis Bachman, Charles Bachman, Philip Bachman, George Bachman and Sam Bachman. Sisters Phyllis Henness, Gertrude Agnes Bachman, Dorothy Swedelius and Anne Marie Forde.

Survivors include daughters, Deborah (Mike) Swope, Lawson, MO and Suzanne Bachman, Kearney, MO, grandchildren Phil Swope, Valerie (Brandon) Blankenship, Patrick (Megan) Swope, Nathan Butrum, Sarah Butrum, Melissa Bachman and James David Bachman. Great grandchildren Matthew Butrum, Tillie Butrum, Gabriel Bachman and Leilani Blankenship. Also Jim's remaining brothers, Joe Bachman, Bob Bachman and Tom Bachman and numerous nieces and nephews.

A celebration of life will be scheduled at a later date and burial will be at the Veteran's Cemetary in Higginsville, MO.

Memorial contributions are suggested to St. Jude's, American Heart Association or Alzheimer's Association.