James J. Pauly

Jim Pauly, 81, lived in Overland Park, KS and was born on April 5th, 1942 in Maple Hill, KS, the son of Peter and Agnes (Gros) Pauly.

Jim grew up in St. Marys, KS and graduated from St. Marys High School in 1960.  Soon after, he enlisted in the Kansas Army National Guard where he proudly served for nine years, including activation with the 69th Infantry Brigade in 1968.  On November 13, 1965, he was united in marriage to Donna Lee Reser at Immaculate Conception Catholic Church in St. Marys, KS.  In 1968, Jim began a remarkable 27-year career with the Kansas State Highway Patrol, serving as a trooper in Neosho, Cherokee and Pottawatomie counties.  His accolades included serving for four years as the Vice President of the Kansas State Troopers Association and on the committee that created and funded the Kansas Law Enforcement Memorial in Topeka, KS.  Jim and Donna raised their family in Wamego, KS where Jim demonstrated his integrity as an active board member of St. Bernard’s Catholic Church. 

After retirement in 1995, Jim and Donna moved to Overland Park to be closer to their grandchildren.  They soon became consultants for the Occupational Safety and Health Administration and traveled the country together in order to train and certify employees on safety equipment.  Jim often boasted of his unique opportunity to work with Donna and bragged that they were paid to “visit” 47 states.  Even while traveling, they made time to spend with their grandchildren, rarely missing their events.  Donna preceded Jim in death on January 19th, 2010.

While Jim had many positive attributes, his greatest quality was the affection that he paid to his family.  His conversations with family and friends and allies at the American Legion (Post 327) almost always started with how proud he was of the accomplishments of his children and grandchildren.  He was simply a selfless man who did not boast of his own achievements; instead, he raved about those closest to him.  A true role model for all of us.

Jim is survived by his son, Darren (Deb) Pauly of Seminole, FL; daughter, Stefanie (Chris) Bresette of Kansas City, MO; and three grandchildren: Emily (Blake) Hughes of Lee’s Summit, MO; Allison (Joseph) Johnston of Olathe, KS; and Jacob Bresette of Alexandria, VA.  He is also survived by brothers, John Pauly and Ronald Pauly, St. Marys, KS and sisters, Mary Katherine (Dick) Remacle, Cottonwood, ID and Jane (Randy) Mumpower, Wamego, KS.  He is preceded in death by his parents, Peter and Agnes Pauly; brothers, William Pauly and Gerald Pauly; and sister, Patricia.

Mass of Christian Burial will be Celebrated at 10:00 A.M. on Tuesday, June 13, 2023, at Immaculate Conception Catholic Church in St. Marys.  Burial will be in Mt. Calvary Cemetery St. Marys.  James will lie in state and the family will receive friends from 5:00  until 7:00 P.M. Monday, June 12, 2023, at the funeral home.  Memorial contributions may be made to the Immaculate Conception Catholic Church and sent in care of Piper Funeral Home, 714 Maple Street, St. Marys, Kansas 66536, To leave online condolences go to www.piperfuneralhome.com.