James Warren Baughan passed away peacefully Friday, February 21, 2020, at Brookdale Salina- Kirwin. He was born December 16, 1925, to Charles and Grace Baughan.
Jim grew up in Salina, Kansas. He attended Oakdale Elementary School and graduated from Salina High School. As a youngster, he had several jobs including a paper route and working at the Cozy Inn. During high school, his lifetime devotion to his nation began when he sold War Bonds to help finance World War II. He was named the top salesman of War Bonds in Saline County.
Upon graduation from high school, he followed his older brother, Bill and enlisted in the Marine Corps. Later his brother Bob, would also enlist in the Marines. “Brother Bill” and Jim saw combat in World War II and “Brother Bob” in the Korean War.
He was assigned to Camp Pendleton Marine Corps Base in Oceanside, California for training. During World War II, Jim served as corporal in the Marine Corps and was promoted to sergeant. In combat, he was sent to the Pacific Islands and was a warrior in the Battle of Iwo Jima Island. On February 19, 2020, on the 75th anniversary of the Battle of Iwo Jima, the Salina VFW Post 1432 honored Jim as one of two survivors of that battle living in Kansas. Ironically, he died two days later on February 21, which was the anniversary date of the second wave of soldiers to the island and his actual entry into combat at Iwo Jima.
His Marine Corps experience shaped him for life as service to his country and to the Marines was at the core of his soul. His lived out the Marine Corps League motto of “once a Marine, always a Marine.” He demonstrated his love for his country at every opportunity. He almost always wore a hat or jacket honoring the Marines or the USA with intermittent periods of wearing ball caps that were given to him by his grandchildren. For years, he would carry the American Flag in community parades in Salina. He was very involved in the Salina-Saline County War Memorial at Sunset Park and handled the inscriptions and placement of the memorial bricks that are part of the Memorial. He was involved for decades with the Marine Corps Toy Box program organized by the Tri Rivers Detachment of the Marine Corps League. He was charter member of the Detachment and officer.
On October 24, 1950, Bea Blom married CPL Jim Baughan at Camp Pendleton Marine Corps Base in Oceanside, California. They were married for 67 years. Following his service in the Marine Corps, they settled in Salina and devoted the next two decades to raising five children. They lived on five acres just north of town; he was proud that he lived there for 65 years. In support of his children’s activities, he, and Bea made many trips with the Salina Silver Sabres Drum and Bugle Corps across Kansas and the nation accompanying the drum corps to competitions.
Upon returning to Salina after his military service, he was a car salesman at Long-MacArthur Ford for several years. He then began a career as truck driver for Graves Truck Line where he worked for 38 years and driving more than 1 million miles. After retiring, he continued driving tour buses, grain trucks and other vehicles for Salina companies.
He was a member of First United Methodist Church, the Peacemakers Sunday School Class and was an usher at the church. For many years, he and Bea enjoyed hosting the Peacemakers Halloween Party. He also had the distinction of being the only person who had attended every reunion of the Nybro-Erickson family since the gathering began in 1953 in Dickinson County, Kansas where Bea grew up.
Jim was very proud of and dedicated to his 20 grandchildren and 28 great-grandchildren. He greatly enjoyed their frequent phone conversations and visits. He appreciated the devotion of his nephews and nieces, Steve, Kristie, Kelly, and Marce.
He was pre-deceased by his parents Charles and Grace, wife, Bea; son, Bruce; brothers William Baughan, John “Bob” Baughan and sister, Ruth Zych.
Jim is survived by his children: Kirk Baughan (Laurie) of Overland Park, KS; Kim Schnee (Pat) of Manhattan, KS; Brad Baughan (Carol) of Overbrook, KS; and Kent Baughan (Sandy) of Millwood, GA.
Grandchildren: Sarah Charvat (Matt) of Topeka, KS; Amy Meek (Marshall) of Topeka, KS; Emily Wright (Bryon) of Baldwin City, KS; Abby Baughan of Overland Park, KS; Dustin Schnee of Lenexa, KS; Jared Schnee of Riley, KS; Chandler Schnee of Topeka, KS; Jamie Schnee, Megan Schnee of Manhattan, KS; Erol Kinkaid (Staci) of Omaha, NE; Orion Kinkaid (Kate), De Soto, KS; MAJ Emery Baughan (CPT Christine) of Ft. Leavenworth, KS; Avery Baughan (Sarah Terranova) of Kansas City, MO; Zachary Baughan (Emily) of Galveston, TX; LT Anna Baughan of Ramstein, Germany; Aubrey Baughan and Ellis Baughan of Overbrook, KS; Lori Thomas (Stan), Arie Baughan of Millwood, GA and Macee Baughan of Valdosta, GA.
Great grandchildren: Mason, Carter, Lilly, Elliott and Grace Charvat; Audrey, Wesley, Brady, Samuel and Rylee Meek; Addison, Emmett and Ella Wright; Noah, Chloe and Eli Schnee; Mia, Enzo and Rocco Kinkaid; Parker and Theodore Kinkaid; Frank and Rush Terranova; Max and Miles Baughan; Hunter, Grayson and Luci Thomas.
His nieces and nephews: Steve Baughan (Dyan), Kristie Johnson (Greg), Kelly Baughan (Joyce), Marce Ballinger (Harold), Karla Lewis (Michael), and Charles Zych, Ronald Blom (Lorrie), Robert Blom (Tracey) Kenneth Blom (Mary).
Memorials are suggested to the Tri Rivers Detachment Marine Corps Toy Box Program c/o Ryan Mortuary or the charity of the donor’s choice.
Visitation will be from 5 p.m. to 8 p.m. on Monday, March 2. Family will be present form 6 p.m. to 8 p.m. Funeral services to be held on Tuesday, March 3, 11 a.m. at the First United Methodist Church, 122 N. Eighth St., Salina. Interment will be in Roselawn Memorial Park, 1920 E. Crawford St., Salina, following funeral services with military honors.