James Iven Behl

The Life and Times of James “Jim” Behl Born to Leonard and Willa Dean Behl (both deceased), August 11, 1957 in Kansas City, MO, Jim had four sisters: Paula (Walters, deceased); Lucy (Harris of East Liverpool, OH); and Linda Brenneman and Anita Kronk (of KC, MO). Jim’s youthful hobbies included running away from school, fishing and visiting family in Dallas County. In HS, Jim studied auto mechanics and worked delivering ice in KC. It was then that he met his first wife, Diane. Jim and Diane married early in Jim’s Army service. They had two sons, Jamie Behl (married to Tina; they’ve recently blessed Jim with granddaughter, Blakely Ella) and Ryan Behl (married to Andrea; they’ve blessed Jim with granddaughters, Raleigh and Ashlyn.) In the military, Jim served in Germany and Korea. He worked on electronics and became a teacher of the art. When Jim’s mother died in 1987, Jim switched from active duty to the reserves. Jim loved his family and was deeply saddened when his marriage ended. However, six years later, he married Sherri (deceased), and they had one son, Jeff (married to Christina; they’ve blessed Jim with grandson, DJ). Sherri also brought a son, Brandon Hatley (from a former marriage) into the family. Jim, Sherri and Jeff moved from KC to Long Lane, MO in 1998. Jim and Sherri bought and operated a grocery store in Conway. From there, they went to Eldridge, and then to Urbana, MO where Jim worked in construction. As a father, Jim enjoyed watching and supporting his sons’ athletic activities, including Jeff’s Tae Kwon Do. This is where Jim, Sherri, and Vicki met. The two families attended Unity of the Lakes (UOL) church and became very close. When Sherri died in 2005, it knocked the wind out of everybody. In 2006, Jim and Vicki tied the knot, combining the two families. Vicki brought two sons from a former marriage into the family, Colton and Blake. Jim adopted these boys in 2013. Jim studied nutrition and was active in church. Yearning to make the world a better place, he worked on ideas for maximizing energy-efficiency and healthy living. He worked at Smith Bros. recycling shop and in Compton’s Herb Shoppe. He was proud to donate blood every time he could. In his latest efforts to improve the world, Jim started a prayer ministry at Lowe Boats where he’s been working since April 2015. At his Tunas, MO home, January 31, 2016, much to everybody’s surprise, Jim left this lifetime. He’ll always be remembered as a kind, loving and sincere man who gave life his all. Memorial Services were held at 4:00 P.M. Saturday, February 6, 2016 at the Unity of the Lake Church in Warsaw Mo.

James Iven Behl

August 11, 1957 - January 31, 2016