KOFTAN, James E. "Jim"- b. March 18, 1935 - d. April 26, 2014

[patyrn]

James E. "Jim" Koftan, 79, died Sunday, April 26, 2014 at Life Care Center in Andover, Kansas.  He was born March 18, 1935 at Shelbyville, Missouri, the son of Leroy Charles and Alma Bertha (Lindsey) Koftan.  On February 26, 1956, he married Lila L. Marshall at Moline, Kansas.  She preceded him in death on March 23, 2014.

Jim graduated from Howard High School in Howard, Kansas in 1953.  He played baseball and basketball at Coffeyville Community College in Coffeyville, Kansas and played baseball at Friends University in Wichita, Kansas where he earned a Bachelor's Degree.  He then earned a Master's Degree in Administration from Kansas State University.

Jim taught math, boys basketball and track at Waterville, Riley County High School.  He was Principal at Linn, Kansas K-12, Principal at Wathena High School K-12, Superintendent of Udall High School, Principal at Garden Plain School K-12, Principal and Superintendent at Utica Schools, and Superintendent at Spearville Schools where he retired.  He then served on the Spearville School Board from 2001-2004.  He was past Director of Kansas State High School Activity Association and was past Vice-President of Schools for Quality Education.  He spent his retirement traveling and enjoying his grandkids' activities.

Jim is survived by a daughter, Lori (Kent) Binford of Haviland, Kansas; 3 grandchildren, Ashley (Luke) Salman, Audra Binford, and Ross Binford; 2 great-grandchildren, Liam and Adah Salmans; a brother, Kenneth Koftan of Derby, Kansas; and a sister, Louise Heck of Howard, Kansas.  He was preceded in death by his parents; his wife, Lila; and a brother, Leroy Charles "Buck" Koftan Jr.

Visitation will be Wednesday, April 30, 2014 from 9:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m. at Larrison Mortuary, 300 Country Club Road, Pratt, Kansas 67214.  Funeral services will be Thursday, May 1, 2014 at 10:30 a.m. at Haviland Friends Church in Haviland, Kansas.  Burial will be in the Haviland Cemetery.  Memorials may be made to the Haviland Friends Church or the American Cancer Society and may be left in care of the mortuary.  Condolences may be left at www.larrisonmortuary.com.

(taken from the Larrison Family Mortuaries website)