James C. "Jim" DeCesare, Jr., of Burden, Kansas, passed away on his 89th birthday, Saturday morning, April 4, 2020 at his home.

Born April 4, 1931 in Orange, New Jersey, he was the son of James C. and Sally Juanita (Ray) DeCesare, Sr. He was raised and received his education in New Jersey and attended and graduated high school from Mercersburg Academy in Gettysburg, Pennsylvania. He then attended Syracuse University receiving a Bachelor of Arts Degree in Economics. He married Gloria Dahmen Brown in May of 1953 in Olean, New York. To this union two children were born. The couple later divorced.

In 1953, he joined the United States Army and proudly served his country during the Korean Conflict. Following his honorable discharge, Jim attended Wharton Graduate School of Commerce and Finance at the University of Pennsylvania where he received his master's degree.

Jim spent his career in the Veterinarian Pharmaceutical industry. He began his career in 1957 in sales at Merck & Company, Inc. In 1966, he began working for Schering Corporation as the Corporate Planning Manager and General Sales Manager. In 1975, Jim moved to Kansas City to become Vice President of Marketing for Bayvet Corporation, and in 1978 became President of that corporation, where he remained until moving to Boehringer Ingelheim Animal Health Incorporated in St. Joseph, Missouri. He served as President and Chief Operating Officer of Boehringer Ingelheim Animal Health Inc. until his retirement in 1992.

He was united in marriage to Lynn Charlain Bannon on December 1, 1997 in Ft. Myers, Florida. Jim was a member of Burden United Methodist Church. He served on several boards including United Way of St. Joseph, Rotary Club #32, St. Joseph Symphony, St. Joseph Chamber of Commerce, Associated Industries of Missouri, and Pony Express Chapter of the Boy Scouts. He also served the Animal Health Institute as a board member from 1978 to 1992. He was also a member of the Society of American Magicians and enjoyed putting on shows for others. He was an accomplished sailor and became the Commodore of Barnegat Light Yacht Club in Long Beach Island, New Jersey. After retiring he became Commodore of The Landings Yacht Club in Ft. Myers, Florida.  Jim loved fishing, golfing, and playing tennis, but most of all, he loved his family.

His family includes his wife Lynn DeCesare of Burden; his children Dahmen Ray Griswold of Sarasota, FL; James C. DeCesare III of Langhorne, PA; his stepson Doug Otto and wife, Rachel of Overland Park; his daughter-in-law Amy DeCesare of Princeton, NJ; and his grandchildren, Katrin Leroy Griswold of Brooklyn, NY; Charley Otto of Overland Park and Wyatt Otto of Overland Park.

In addition to his parents Jim was preceded in death by a brother William Ray DeCesare.

Funeral services will be held at 11:00 A.M., Friday, April 10, 2020 at Miles Funeral Service in Winfield. The family requests only immediate family be present at the service. Friends may view the service online at www.milesfuneralservice.com. A visitation is scheduled at the funeral home on Thursday evening from 4 to 8. The family will greet visitors during this time.

Celebrations to be decided in Burden, Kansas at the Burden United Methodist Church; Ft. Myers/LaBelle, Florida at the Carlson Memorial United Methodist Church; Kansas City, Missouri at the Midtown Baptist Temple; and on the East Coast.

Memorials have been established in Jim's name for the Burden United Methodist Church and for the Wounded Warrior Project. Contributions may be made through the funeral home.