Jim Kepley

Jim Kepley, age 63, of Chanute, Kansas, passed away on Saturday, March 21, 2026, at his home.

James K. Kepley was born in Chanute on August 21, 1962. He was the third of five children born to Robert Dean and Gladys Eileen (Trammell) Kepley. Growing up in a farming family, Jim graduated from Chanute High School with the class of 1980. On February 14, 1983, Jim married Cynthia Studebaker. They were blessed with two children, Karla Dawn and William Samuel "Sam", and later divorced. On March 20, 1993, Jim married Desiree Uden. He was a lifelong resident of the Chanute area and shared the family's deep roots and connection to the local community.

Jim owned and operated KW Oil Well Service since 1982. He worked in the area of oil and gas fields and plugged thousands of wells for the KCC. After graduating from school, Jim's son, Sam, joined the business and worked with his dad for many years. Over the years, the business expanded to include heavy equipment, completing jobs ranging from digging graves to fifty miles of gas line trenching in Nebraska and the demolition of the Chanute Royster Stadium.

Jim's farming roots never left him, and he enjoyed helping his son-in-law, Ryan, on the farm. He spent his time taking care of cattle with Desiree and haying with his brother and nephews. In his free time, Jim enjoyed hunting, fishing, and picking up his latest online equipment purchases. He was a member of Cedar Lodge #103, a 33rd Degree Member of the Scottish Rite, and a member of the Mirza Shrine, where he served as Potentate in 2013. Jim was also a member of the Chanute Elks Lodge #806.

Generous, hardworking, and kind, Jim wanted to leave a mark on the community. Some of those marks turned into twisted steel with the start of the combine demolition derby and the school bus races at the Humboldt Speedway. One of his acts of giving was to ensure that future generations of students would have a place to pursue agriculture-based learning with his donation of land for the Chanute FFA program. Each year on the morning of Memorial Day, Jim and Desiree would place the flags for the Avenue of Flags in Memorial Park Cemetery. Jim appreciated what his life became, and he wanted to be sure to leave more than he took.

He was preceded in death by his parents, Robert and Gladys Kepley; and two brothers, William Robert "Robert" Kepley and Samuel Kepley.

Jim is survived by his wife of 33 years, Desiree, of the home; daughter, Karla Huser and husband Ryan of rural Sycamore, Kansas; son, Sam Kepley and wife Regina of rural Chanute; five granddaughters, Magdalene "Little Toad", Anastasia "Little Toad II", Lucy "Scooter Toad", and Felicity "Screamer Toad" Huser, and Erin "Monkey" Kepley; two stepdaughters and their spouses; seven step-grandchildren; and one step-great-grandson. Other survivors include his favorite mother-in-law, Beulah Uden of Chanute; one brother, Mike Kepley and wife Ivy; and one sister, Becci Wheatley and husband Tom, all of Chanute. He also leaves behind two nieces, Chrystal Bryant and Olivia "Little Nipper" Wheatley; four nephews, Nick "Dickey" and wife Ashley, Cory "App" and wife Brytnee, Tanner "Turdhead" and wife Dana, and Noah "Ark-man" and wife Ashton Kepley; five great-nieces and six great-nephews; and a host of friends who will dearly miss him.

Funeral services will be held at 10:00 AM on Wednesday, March 25, 2026, at the First United Methodist Church, 202 S. Lincoln, Chanute, Kansas. Burial will follow in the Memorial Park Cemetery in Chanute. Jim's family will greet friends from 6:00 PM to 8:00 PM on Tuesday evening, March 24, 2026, at the First United Methodist Church.

Memorial contributions may be made to St. Patrick's Catholic School or to the Shriners Children's Hospital and may be left in care of Feuerborn Family Funeral Service, 1883 US Hwy 54, Iola, Kansas 66749. Condolences to the family may be left at www.feuerbornfuneral.com.