Jim (D.L.) Paschal, 96, World War II Marine veteran, passed away in Salina, KS on January 23, 2021. Jim was born to Blanche and Clyde Paschal on the family farm outside of Luray, KS, the fifth of six children.
Jim and his twin brother, Dwight, were miracle babies. Born prematurely, each weighed three and one half pounds. Shoeboxes in front of the fireplace were their incubators and later they shared a dresser drawer as their first bed. They had many amazing adventures growing up together, even through the difficulties of the Great Depression. Jim attended Luray High School where he was a member of the 1941 Track State Championship Relay Team.
Jim proudly enlisted in the United States Marines in 1943. Following the war, he returned to attend Kansas State University, and met the love of his life, Naida Beisner. Jim and Naida were married on April 24, 1949 and enjoyed over 62 years together. They welcomed a son, Lane in 1950 and then were joined by two daughters, Julie, and Kelly.
In 1961, they followed Naida’s parents, Gertrude and Henry Beisner, and moved to their forever home of Lindsborg, KS, where they have remained for the past 60 years. Jim owned his own construction/cement business for over 45 years. They built over 300 concrete basements and the mobile home park, Riverside. His insulation business serviced hundreds of homes throughout Lindsborg. Jim was a lifelong member of the Trinity United Methodist Church and Stephens Ministry and the Masonic Lodge.
In 1984, at the age of 60, Jim joined the American Karate Association and two years later earned his 1st Degree black belt. For one portion of his final test, he drove a nail through a board with his bare hand.
Jim loved and adored his Lindsborg family, and never missed a Hyllingsfest. He sponsored many floats over the years, including the well-known ‘Here Comes the King! The highlight of his day was meeting his friends for morning coffee, primarily at The Swedish Bakery, where they would banter, cackle, support each other, and discuss world problems.
Throughout his life, he loved playing cards with his family. Jim was notoriously ornery at pitch and would ‘shoot the moon’ every other hand. Whenever Jim and Dwight would play together, they would howl with laughter that was so infectious the entire family would laugh until they cried. Jim and Naida were famous for their homemade ice cream made from a family recipe handed down from Jim’s mother which goes back over 100 years.
Jim is predeceased by his wife Naida, his brothers Vance and Dwight, and his sisters Yvonne Kruger, Irene Lefler and Wilmetta Holland.
Jim is survived by three children, Lane (wife Carla), Julie (husband Tom), and Kelly, nine grandchildren, eleven great-grandchildren, many nieces and nephews, and dear friends.
A celebration service will be held once the pandemic has subsided. Please send any memorials in Jim’s honor to the United Methodist Church or Evangelical Covenant Church in Lindsborg.