James “Jim” Bryan Applegarth

James Bryan “Jim” Applegarth, of Gardner, Kansas, passed away peacefully at the age of 66. Born April 29, 1959, to Jack and Mary Applegarth (Richardson), Jim was the sixth of eight children and grew up on King Street in Shawnee, Kansas. His early years were filled with the kind of hardworking, rough-and-tumble spirit that would define the rest of his life.

Jim began his career in the 1980s as a truck driver for McAnanyConstruction before moving on to spend approximately 15 years with Miami County as a Road Grader. Eventually, he launched his own independent contracting business—an endeavor that not only showcased his skill and determination but also gave him the opportunity to employ his children during summer breaks. He closed out his working years with Waste Management in Miami County in 2021.

He met his wife, Holly, at a street dance in Spring Hill, Kansas, and the two were married in 1992 at the Spring Hill Methodist Church. Their love and partnership were a steady foundation throughout the years.

A man of many talents and passions, Jim enjoyed hunting, fishing, woodworking, and DIY projects around the farm. There wasn’t much he couldn’t fix or build—he constructed a new addition to the house, a barn, and a deck with his own hands. He was also a loyal NASCAR fan, never missing a chance to cheer on Dale Earnhardt, with whom he proudly shared a birthday.

In his younger years, Jim could often be found at the rodeo—either in the ring riding bulls and bulldogging or on the sidelines coaching his kids through barrel racing, goat tying and mutton busting. Some of Jim’s favorite weekends were spent camping and riding horses with his longtime friends Al, Don, and Clayton at Blue Gray Park—making memories on the trail and around the campfire. His love of rodeo and dedication to community shone through in his 10 years of service on the Miami County Fair Board. There, he was known for his tireless efforts to improve the fairgrounds and his late-night camaraderie with fellow members of the “rat patrol.”

Jim leaves behind a legacy of strength, laughter, hard work, and just the right touch of onery that kept everyone on their toes. He is survived by his loving wife, Holly Applegarth of Gardner; his son, Cody Applegarth, and his wife Michelle of Dallas; his daughter Trisha Allison and her husband Devin of Ottawa, and grandson AJ Allison and granddaughter Katherine Stevenson; and his daughter Natalie Morrison and her husband Karl of Blue Springs, and grandsons Dean and Eric Morrison.

He is also survived by his siblings: Don and Judy Lauffenburger, Liz Cook, Jacque and Dave Hogue, Sandy and Mel Spears, John and Twyla Applegarth, David Applegarth, and Debbie and Ron Hornick.

Jim was preceded in death by his parents, Jack and Mary Applegarth (Richardson).

He will be deeply missed and fondly remembered as a devoted husband, father, grandfather, brother, and friend—a man who lived his life with grit, humor, and heart.