GARDNER — James Daryl “Jim” Lorenz, 70, of Gardner, a former Labette County resident, passed away Friday, May 23, 2025, in Joplin, Missouri.
Jim was born to Daryl and Mickey (Garner) Lorenz on Aug. 17, 1954, in Oswego. Jim grew up in Altamont, where he attended grade school and graduated from Labette County High School in 1972.
Jim met his future wife, Helen Tolman, while he was an engineer trainee for the Katy Railroad in Parsons. They married on Oct. 4, 1975, and celebrated 48 loving years of marriage. They raised their two children, Bart and Nicole, in rural Parsons.
After a number of years as a railroad engineer, Jim went out on his own — starting what would eventually become an entrepreneurial career — as an owner/operator of a backhoe and trenching construction business that evolved into laying large waterline projects such as a Big Hill Lake rural water system. With various business partners, he evolved his other businesses to include oil and gas service companies, farming and cattle ranching.
Jim and Helen eventually “retired” together, running J.D.’s Gun Shop on Main Street in Parsons from 2014 to 2019. During that time, Jim was one of the founding members of the Parsons Gun Club, which started in 2016. During their time in Parsons, Jim and Helen were active members of Center Bethel Church.
In 2020, Jim and Helen set out for a new adventure, moving to Atwood, Colorado, to follow their son and his family. They then moved to Spring Hill in 2022 to live near their daughter and her family. They found a new church family at Antioch Baptist Church in Spring Hill. Following Helen’s passing in February 2023, Jim moved to the neighboring town of Gardner.
Jim was an avid hunting and fishing enthusiast from an early age and had a wide circle of friends and neighbors who joined him through the years in these hobbies, on local farms, gun ranges and various sporting trips. He also enjoyed being involved with Bible study groups, cooking and barbecuing for others and spending time with family, friends and his trusty canine companions.
Jim is survived and will be fondly remembered by his son, Bart Lorenz (Lisa) of Gulf Shores, Alabama; his daughter, Nicole Pemberton (Chris) of Spring Hill; his grandchildren, Carl Hutchinson (Teresa), Matt Hutchinson, Ashton Howard, Dalton Lorenz (Erin), Jamie Pemberton, Josie Pemberton and Julia Pemberton; and six great-grandchildren, Lyllee, Damien, Trenton, Avery, Tatum and Halsey.
Jim was preceded in death by his wife, Helen; and parents, Daryl and Mickey Lorenz.
Jim’s memorial service will be at 10:30 a.m. Saturday, July 19, at Center Bethel Church in rural Parsons. The family will receive visitors starting at 10 a.m. Saturday, July 19, at the church.
The family suggests memorials to Center Bethel Church. Leave online condolences at www.wallfuneralservices.com.
