James Leroy “Jimbo” Lytle was born in Salina, Kansas on May 22, 1960, to James V. & Marilyn JoAnn Johnson Lytle. Jim married his rainbow, Pam (Bordner) on June 6, 1987, at Lakewood Discovery Center. He entered eternal rest at the age of 62 on June 22, 2022.
He graduated from Salina High School South, Class of 1978. He was a resident of Salina until 2001, when he and Pam bought their forever home in the country in Ottawa County. At the time of his death, he was a tram driver and special tours driver for Rolling Hills Zoo.
His first job was at Baskin Robbins during high school. Then in the fall of 1978 started as an Apprentice Electrician with the family business, Lytle Electric, Inc. which his father started in 1973. He became a licensed Journeyman Electrician in March 1988. He did the electrical on many Salina and area businesses too many to list, however, his church, Emmanuel Four Square Church was one highlight. Jim started a Continuing Education Adult Electrical program in January 1993. He was the Network Cabling Supervisor/Manager at ISG Technologies, Inc. in 1998-2000, a Building Systems Tech and Electrician Senior at the Kansas Highway Patrol in Salina 2003-2006. In 2006-2010, he was the PME Physical Plant Supervisor at K-State Salina. Then, he had the opportunity to start the Electrical Program at Salina Area Technical College in 2010. He produced several great young electricians during his tenure and the family hears their praises of Jim often. During early 2016, he was not working outside the home and took great care of Pam’s mother until her death from cancer. His hobbies included his grandchildren, Native American culture & crafts, gardening, birding, scouting, other outdoor activities to name a few. His job at RHZ was a perfect fit!
He is survived by wife Pam, son Jason (Amanda), daughter Heather (Donavon), parents James V. and Marilyn JoAnn Lytle, 10 grandchildren, 1 great grandchild, brother David, sisters Kim, Debbie (Duncan), Sue, brothers-in-law Greg, Keith, aunts Grace, Laverne, Allene, and many cousins, nieces, nephews, and special friends.
Preceded in death by mother and father-in-law, grandparents, aunts and uncles, nephew, and special friend Lisa Carter
There will be no visitation as his wishes were to be cremated. His celebration of Life will be on Saturday, July 2nd at 10 a.m. at Emmanuel Church, 1325 E. Cloud St. We ask that you please wear his favorite color, green or camo, scouting attire or your best “Jim” outfit. Let us keep his mismatched outfits alive! There will be a memorial account at First Bank of Kansas. The other Memorial suggestions at this time are Rolling Hills Zoo, Boy Scouts of America (Coronado Council), Emmanuel Church and Education for the grandchildren. We will also have a memorial for him at Rolling Hills Zoo at a later date.