It is with great sadness the family announces the passing of James Thomas Coons III.
Jim was born March 13, 1964, in Manhattan, Kansas. He will always be lovingly remembered by his surviving family members. Jim was 59 years old, he peacefully passed away on November 2, 2023, at his home in Hutchinson, Kansas surrounded by his loving family. Jim will always be missed and never forgotten; the world lost a great young man.
He was preceded in death by his father Tom Coons, grandparents Jim and Dorothy Coons and Oscar and Mary Krueger, aunt and uncle Bill and Karen Krueger, and aunt and uncle Lyle and Bonnie Neville.
He is survived by: his mother, Carol Coons of Hutchinson, KS; sister, Cristi Whipp of Norfolk, NE; nephew, Thomas (BrookLynn) Whipp of Lawton, OK; niece, Caiden (Jacob) Jones of Salina, KS; step-mother, Kathy Coons and her children, Brad and Amie of Chandler, AZ; aunt, Patricia Pratt of Eaton, CO; uncle, Donald (Karen) Krueger of Pueblo, CO; cousins Brad (Dena) Neville of Hutchinson, KS, Lane (Kristin) Neville of Scottsdale, AZ, Morgan (Sandra) Neville of Chandler, AZ, Monee Neville of Chandler, AZ, Mike (Shanna) Pratt of Eaton, CO, Kraig (Lisa) Krueger of Montrose, CO, Kurt (Karen) Krueger of Florissant, CO, Konnie (Drew) Wood of Woodland Park, CO, Laurie (Bob) Shaw of Perkin, IL, Aaron (Brenda) Krueger of Woodland Park, CO, Kami (Donn) Wetzel of Burlington, CO, and Ann Krueger of AZ
In high school Jim was an exceptional wrestler, he began his wrestling career at 5 years of age. He was a four-year letterman and team captain; graduating from Hutchinson High School in 1983. While in high school his greatest athletic accomplishment was becoming a three-time KSHAA 6A State Wrestling Champion and winning the Grand State Championship in 1982 at 105 lbs. While a sophomore, Jim lead the Salt Hawks to a 6A State Team Title in 1981 and as junior a 6A State Team Runner-Up Title in 1982. Jim is recognized by many as one of the most outstanding high school wrestlers from the state of Kansas in the 1980’s. He was an amazing wrestling talent, his three individual titles were as a sophomore in 1981 at 98 lbs., as a junior in 1982 at 105 lbs., and as a senior in 1983 at 119 lbs. Jim was undefeated as a high school senior while at Hutchinson High School. He was recognized nationally in high school as an “All-American” member in 1983 by placing at Iowa Nationals. After high school Jim earned a full ride wrestling scholarship to the University of Wyoming in Laramie, WY. As an amateur athlete Jim won many regional and placed in several national wrestling tournaments in both freestyle and folkstyle.
He began his professional career as a high school assistant wrestling coach, working with his uncle Lyle Neville at Hutchinson High School in the late 1980’s through the early 1990’s. After concluding his high school coaching career, Jim kept involved with his passion for the sport of wrestling, in coaching youth and freestyle teams, and officiating youth wrestling matches and tournaments. He thoroughly enjoyed being able to pass his knowledge and love of the sport to future generations.
Jim had many talents and varied interests including artistry and craftsmanship in stained glass, iron and wood working. His favorite pastimes were gardening, cultivating Lillie’s in his beautiful Lily Pond. He loved traveling, snow skiing, hunting for wild mushrooms in southwest Colorado in the fall. He was a fisherman, he often fished for Rainbow Trout on the West Fork of the Dolores River in southwestern Colorado. He was an accomplished landscaper and gardener who loved the beauty of flowers and blooming plants. Jimmy spent much of his spare time enjoying the natural beauty of Arizona, Colorado and Kansas camping and fishing with friends. He loved college and professional sports, he was an avid K-State and KC Chiefs football fan throughout his life, attending many home football games. Jim was also a serious collector of rare coins, vintage baseball cards and Indian artifacts.
Jim was a remarkably friendly, kind, loving and talented man who lived his life to the fullest. He was a friend to all and would literally do anything for someone that needed help, Jimmy was loved by all. He always loved spending time with his family and friends. He was the light of any room he was in and always had an amazing sense of humor. He was the rock to his mother as a son and friend and will be greatly missed by all.
The family will be announcing soon a date for Jim’s Celebration of Life. The location, date and time of Jimmy’s Celebration of Life will be noticed in the Hutchinson News and Facebook in the near future. In charge of arrangements, Elliott Mortuary, 1219 N. Main, Hutchinson, KS 67501.