James "Jim" Brian Lawrence, 65, of Winfield passed away unexpectedly on Saturday, July 13, 2024, in Okoboji, Iowa.

Jim was born July 21, 1958, to F. Jay and Iris L. (Henman) Lawrence in El Dorado, Kansas. He graduated from El Dorado High School, Cowley County Community College, and Kansas State University with a B.S. in Mechanical Engineering.  Jim earned the title of Kansas State 4A High School tennis singles champion and continued playing tennis in college for both Cowley College and Kansas State University.

On June 4, 1983, he was united in marriage to Diane Marrs at Redeemer Lutheran Church in Arkansas City, Kansas. They were blessed with three children:  Julie, Brian, and Adam.  Jim worked as a design engineer in Fort Worth and Conroe, Texas before moving to Winfield, Kansas in 1992 to work as plant engineer at the Binney & Smith Crayola factory.  In 1997, Jim and Diane became the owners of Winfield Plumbing and Heating where he enjoyed many years serving the community until his retirement.

He applied his engineering skills with enthusiasm to home projects and repairs for family and friends, often when they didn't realize help was even needed.  To Jim, building and fixing was truly a labor of love, and he was very eager to lend helping hands, even when they were otherwise full.  When he wasn't engaged in these passion projects, he enjoyed playing golf and tennis, cheering on the Royals, and spending quality time with family and friends, especially his seven grandchildren.

Jim was preceded in death by his parents, sister Amy Lawrence, and father-in-law, Richard "Dick" Marrs.

Jim is survived by his wife of 41 years, Diane of Winfield, KS, daughter Julie Allen and husband Joey of Hutchinson, KS, son Brian Lawrence and wife Peggy of Winfield, son Adam Lawrence and wife Kayla of Winfield, and grandchildren Annie, Miriam and Laurel Allen, Graham and Grady Lawrence, and Charlie and Emmett Lawrence, brothers Richard "Dick" Lawrence and wife Sue of Overland Park, KS, Dan Lawrence and wife Jane of Weatherford, TX, Rod Lawrence and wife Hatsie of Okoboji, IA, Tom Lawrence and wife Stacy of Plano, TX, sister Martha Lanpher and husband Curt of Lawrence, KS, mother-in-law Marilynn Marrs of Arkansas City, KS, and numerous nieces and nephews.

Jim was a faithful child of God and a member of Trinity Lutheran Church, where his funeral will take place on Saturday, July 20, 2024, at 10 AM.  Burial will follow at Hope Cemetery in Arkansas City.  The family will greet visitors from 4:30 to 7 PM on Friday, July 19 at Miles Funeral Service.

Memorials in Jim's name can be made to KSU Purple Pack Catbackers and Trinity Lutheran Church.  Contributions may be made through the funeral home.

https://www.trinitylutheranwinfield.com/church-services