TODD, J. D. - b. May 15, 1928 - d. January 15, 2011

[patyrn]

J. D. Todd, 82, of Grenola, Kansas, passed away Saturday morning, January 15, 2011 at his home.  He began his life south of Elgin, Kansas, across the Oklahoma line down on Pond Creek.  He was born Mary 15, 1928 to Jennie Marie and Thelby R. Todd, also known as "Jim".

J. D. was the oldest of seven children.  J. D.'s dad died when he was ten.  Life in the 30s was hard, and he was sent to live with his Uncle Cleil.  He began work at an early age breaking colts for Willard Blake.  He went from there to work for Herman Layton on his ranch south of Hewins, Kansas.  He worked for Mr. Layton until he went to the Army in 1951.  J. D. served in the Army on the front lines in Korea.  When he returned from the service, he returned to Mr. Layton's ranch to work once again.  He worked for Phillips Petroleum for a short time in Borger, Texas.  Once again he returned to the southern Kansas and northern Oklahoma area to work on ranches  He was working for J. B. Smith of Pawhuska, Oklahoma when Mr. Smith leased the Thompson pastures west of Grenola, Kansas.  J. D. then moved to the Grenola area in the early 1960s where he has resided ever since.

J. D. met his wife, Winnie, when he moved to Grenola.  They have three daughters, Anita, Rhonda, and Jenny.  The couple continued to work for ranches, eventually becoming self-employed in the cattle business always living within a few miles of Grenola.  J. D. was a good hand.  He was a good caretaker and would rope anything.  He was an avid coyote hunter.  He raised greyhounds and always had good dogs.  He liked to coon hunt.  He enjoyed the cold night air and a good dog working on track.  He could outwalk many young guys.

J. D. accepted Jesus as his Savior in the early 1960s at the Grenola Christian Church.  Salvation, complete with baptism, was important to him.  He never pushed what he believed, but he sure thought everyone needed to be baptized.

J. D. is survived by his wife, Winnie, of the home; his daughters, Anita Smith and husband, Tracy of Oxford, Kansas, Rhonda Haden and husband, John of Cedar Vale, Kansas, and Jennifer Martin and husband, Shane of Mulvane, Kansas; his grandchidlren, Cole Graham of Wichita, Kansas, Kelsey Graham of Pittsburg, Kansas, Grant Smith of Oxford, Kansas, T. J. Haden of Cedar Vale, Kansas, Cody Haden of Cedar Vale, Kansas, Wyatt Haden of Cedar Vale, Kansas, and Abigail Martin of Mulvane, Kansas; his sisters Phyllis Collier of Wichita, Kansas,  Pat Ross of Wichita, Kansas, and Elizabeth Nitcher of Bixby, Oklahoma; and several nieces and nephews.

J. D. was preceded in death by his parents, Jim Todd and Marie Slaughter; his stepfather, Wayne Slaughter; two infant sisters; his sister, Betty Jo Potter; and his son-in-law, Paul Miles.

What hard times and work could not do, Alzheimer's did.  May we all cherish our loved ones and tell them " I love you" over and over.

Memorial services will be held at 11:00 a.m. Friday, January 21, 2011 at Grenola Christian Church in Grenola, Kansas.  Miles Funeral Service, 4001E. 9th Avenue, Winfield, Kansas 67456 is in charge of arrangements.  A memorial has been established in Mr. Todd's name with Harry Hynes Hospice in Coffeyville, Kansas.  Contributions may be made through the funeral home.

(taken from the Miles Funeral Service website)