Jimmy P. “Jim” Elliott, 90, died April 20, 2025, at Mennonite Friendship Communities, South Hutchinson. He was born September 24, 1934, in Fort Scott, KS to Fred Preston and Katherine Virginia (Carr) Elliott.
Jim moved to Hutchinson in 1946 and graduated from Hutchinson High School in 1952. His talent on the track earned him a title at the state track meet, which later led to a track scholarship at the University of Kansas (KU). He was a member of Phi Kappa Psi fraternity and graduated from the KU School of Business in 1957. Jim was one of three from his KU track team to talk a freshman basketball player into going out for track. That person was Wilt Chamberlain who won the high jump for Kansas in a league meet three straight years.
Jim’s business acumen, work ethic, and love for his community were evident throughout his life. He began his sales career in the petrochemical industry with Spencer Chemical which later became Gulf Oil. From there he moved on to Rubbermaid. During these years he lived in Atlanta, GA and Statesville, NC until 1977.
While in North Carolina, Jim was also involved in the furniture industry with Henredon and Broyhill Furniture companies.
He worked in Investment Banking in Little Rock, Arkansas, until 1986, when he returned to Hutchinson, KS to work in the budding cellular phone business.
He spent three years as sales manager for Superior Boiler prior to joining Collins Bus. While with Collins Bus, he held various sales management roles before retiring from there in 1994.
He then worked, until 2013, for Masters Transportation as a sales representative, selling Collins Buses throughout Kansas. At that time, he rejoined Collins Bus as a sales consultant holding several sales management positions, concentrating on the Central and Western Regions with Collins Bus until 2020 when he officially retired.
All things sports, especially Golf, were a love of Jim’s life. He was a member of Prairie Dunes Country Club for 40 years, serving as president in 2011. His name can be found inscribed on plaques at Prairie Dunes as a winner of various tournaments.
Jim was proud of Hutchinson and was pleased to serve on the Fox Theatre Board for six years and the Hutchinson Symphony Board for three years. Jim was a long-time member of Trinity United Methodist Church.
On February 14, 1997, he married Shelia Ann (Scott) Austin, in Santa Fe, NM. They shared 28 years of marriage.
Jim is survived by his wife, Shelia Austin Elliott; son, Todd Elliott (Natalie) and their children, Maggie and Davis Elliott, daughter, Jill Engle (Joe) and their children, Jake Engle (Jaima), Lauren DeLeon, and Tyler Engle; great-grandchildren, Tucker and Luke Engle; stepsons, Jeffrey Austin (Lisa) and children, Olivia Wernel (John), Bennett, and Genevieve Austin (fiancé Evan Saunders), Joel Austin (Mary) and children, Jensen (Marisa), Nicklaus, and Reese Austin, Iklishi and Ashe Udie, Dr. Jonathan Austin (fiancé Molly LeBanc) and children, Hunter, and Fischer Austin, and Jason Austin (Jaime) and children Riley, Aiden, and Charlee Holst; sister, Nancy Burke and her children John and Erin Burke Foss (Greg); sister-in-law, Deborah Duncan and child, Hunter Elliott.
He was preceded in death by his parents; son, Jimmy Elliott; brother, Jerry Elliott; and a niece, Meredith Elliott.
A memorial service celebrating Jim’s life will be held at 10am on June 21, 2025, at Trinity United Methodist Church, 1602 N. Main, Hutchinson with the Reverend Dr. Kim Biery officiating. A private family inurnment will take place in the Church Columbarium ahead of the service. Friends may sign his book at the service or from 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. at Elliott Mortuary. The family will receive friends, following his service at the church, until noon.
The family would like to offer their appreciation to Mennonite Friendship Communities for their loving care.
In lieu of flowers, memorials are suggested to the Jim Elliott Memorial Fund, that will support young golfers and their pursuit of the sport, in care of Elliott Mortuary, 1219 N. Main, Hutchinson, KS 67501. To benefit the Jim Elliott Memorial Fund, please make the check payable to Elliott Mortuary.