Mary Ann (Rush) James, 72, Ulysses, passed June 17, after a courageous battle with cancer.
She was born June 13,1954 to Norris Dwight and Elizabeth Jane (Anderson) Rush on the first anniversary of their marriage.
She was affectionately known as Annie by her family.
Mary Ann spent the first eight years of her life in Pueblo, Colo. In 1962, the family relocated to Anchorage, Alaska. In 1964, she survived the Great Alaska earthquake.
Mary graduated in the Class of 1972 from West Anchorage High School.
Later, in 1972, the family moved back to Colorado.
She married Keith Allan Jesser in Eads, Colo., September 12, 1973. To this union, one son, Keith Aaron Jesser was born March 9, 1974.
She later married Richard Alan James in Castle Rock, Colo., November 12, 1977. After a couple years of living in Castle Rock, Colo., Peyton, Colo., and Hastings, NE, the family settled down in Manter, Kan., in 1979.
Jerry Dwight “J.D.” James was born March 16, 1981, and Christopher Lee James, was born November 29, 1983.
The family relocated to Ulysses in 1992, soon after the loss of J.D.
Mary retired from High Plains Educational Cooperative in 2024, after 28 years of service.
She enjoyed watching Westerns, drinking beer on the deck, and spending time with her friends and family. She absolutely adored her grandchildren. Sitting in the driveway with her family and watching the grandkids play were some of her favorite moments. She will be greatly missed by her loved ones.
Mary is preceded in death by her parents; husband, Richard Alan James; son, J.D. James; brother John Dwight Rush; grandparents, Clair O. and Myrtle T. (Lynch) Anderson and Theodore and Nora (Downing) Rush; along with many beloved aunts, uncles and cousins.
Mary is survived by her partner of 15 years, Ron Lashmet; two sons: Aaron James and wife, Denise, Ulysses, and Chris James and wife, Alissa, Wichita, Kan.; six grandchildren: Jesika (James) Melvin and husband, Joshua, Perkins, Okla., Korbin James and wife, Trinity, Ulysses, Waylon James and fiancé, Ivonne Barron, Ulysses, Hunter, Chevy and Colton Bade, all of Wichita, Kan.; three great-grandchildren that she affectionately referred to as the beans: Malikai and Aiden James in addition to an unborn great-granddaughter. She is also survived by one sister: Elizabeth “Becky” James and husband, David, Amarillo, Texas; two nephews: Casey and Benjamin James.
Memorial Service is planned for 2 p.m., Monday, June 29, at Garnand Funeral Home Chapel, Ulysses, with Pastor Joe Voss officiating.
Inurnment will follow at the Stanton County Cemetery in Johnson, Kan.
Memorials may be given to Oxford House Inc., in care of Garnand Funeral Home, 405 W. Grant Ave., Ulysses, Kansas 67880.
Condolences may be posted at www.garnandfuneralhomes.com.
