James G. “Jim” Waddell, 75, of Topeka, died unexpectedly on Saturday, May 23, 2015 at Stormont-Vail Hospital.

Jim was born on February 26, 1940 in Topeka, the son of John and Mabel (Patterson) Waddell. He graduated from Topeka High School, class of 1958 and from Washburn University in 1963.

Jim served his country honorably in the United States Marine Corps Reserves.

Jim lived in Bujumbura, Burundi and Addis Ababa, Ethiopia in the 1960’s as a coffee buyer for Folgers. His coffee buying carried him to many other locations around the globe including Mexico and Central America. After moving back to Topeka, he held a variety of positions and eventually retired from the State of Kansas.

Jim was married to Patricia (Gandy) Rettenmaier in 1970. He later married Kathleen Worland on June 4, 1983 in Topeka.

Jim is survived by his wife, Kathy of Topeka; son, Kevin (Lou Haney) Waddell and daughter, Annie of Charlottesville, VA; daughter, Lisa (Steven) Bass and son, Calvin of New Orleans, LA; 2 stepsons, Jeffrey Anderson and partner Heather and daughter, Valiree of Huntington, WV and Matthew Anderson of Topeka, and sons, Dylan and John; sister, Norma (Don) Weaver of Topeka and two nephews, Andy (Jeannie) Artzer of Topeka and his sons, Dillon and Luke and Eric (Marjory) Artzer of Wamego and children, Ethan, Elise, and Eli.

Jim’s wishes were to be cremated and a memorial service will be held at 11:00 a.m. on Thursday, May 28 at the Penwell-Gabel Southwest Chapel, 3700 SW Wanamaker Rd., Topeka; the family will receive friends an hour prior to the service.

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to Second Chance Animal Refuge Society, P.O. Box 22, Auburn, KS 66402 or to Oxfam International, Suite 20, 266 Banbury Road, Oxford OX2 7DL, United Kingdom.

To share a special memory of Jim or to leave a message for his family, please click the Share Memories button above.