James Lederer

September 5, 1947 - February 22, 2021

James E. Lederer, 73, Wakarusa, Kansas, passed away at his home, Monday, February 22, 2021. Jim was born September 5, 1947, in at Ransom Memorial Hospital in Ottawa, Kansas, to John Sr. and Nellie Johnson Lederer. He grew up on the family farm six miles NW of Ottawa on Sand Creek Road. He attended both Oakland (a one room schoolhouse) and Michigan Valley Grade Schools. He attended one year at Appanoose High School until it consolidated with Pomona in 1964. In 1965 he graduated from Pomona High School where he played football and was voted most likely to succeed. Following graduation, he enrolled at Emporia State University studying biology. After one year, he enlisted in the US Air Force, serving our country between 1969 and 1972. His technical training was in munitions and he was assigned to Guam as direct support in the Vietnam War. Upon his honorable discharge, he returned to Emporia to continue his education. After some time, he required hospitalization at the Topeka VA Hospital. It was then that he moved to the Topeka area to reside the rest of his life. Jim was a versatile handyman and held many jobs, including Blackburn Nursery, Jostens, and Gary Brown Towing Service. Jim never knew a stranger and loved visiting with people. He was a kindhearted, generous person, always asking what he could do to help. Jim loved to cook and often made pies, cakes or ice cream to deliver to friends or folks in need. He frequently brought his sister, Helen, bouquets. In 2008, Jim met and married the love of his life, Geraldine Cummings Peterson. Together, they traveled, danced and enjoyed laughing and eating popcorn together. She preceded him in death on January 1, 2021. He sorely missed her. He was a compassionate, caring man who loved his family and hosted numerous family reunions at his home in rural Wakarusa, Kansas. Jim loved music. At the time of his death, he had a menagerie of music - a collection of musical instruments, CDs and sheet music. He frequently attended the Prairie Pickers Blue Grass performances and campouts. He could often be seen and/or heard sitting on his front porch, playing his guitar and singing gospel songs or bluegrass music to his cats! He would even take his guitar to the cemetery when he visited his parents’ graves and sing “Amazing Grace” and “I’ll Fly Away”. Jim will be greatly missed. We will miss his frequent phone calls, updating time and weather, letting us know that the sun is shining in the top of the cottonwood trees. And we will miss seeing him come roaring by in his collector 1989 Chevy Silverado pickup truck. We will miss his bear hugs, pies and serenades, but our memories and his love will remain in our hearts forever. Grateful to have shared Jim’s life are his siblings, Kay Johnson, Council Grove, Kansas, Jack Lederer (Terry), Gardner, Kansas and Helen Ramshaw (Ray), Wakarusa; and many nieces and nephews. Jim was also preceded in death by his parents and brother-in-law, Duane Johnson. Visitation will be Monday, March 1, from 10 to 11 a.m. at Kevin Brennan Family Funeral Home, 2801 SW Urish Road, Topeka KS 66614. Jim’s Celebration of Life will follow at 11 a.m. at the funeral home. Inurnment will be in Shawnee Center Cemetery, Wakarusa. Due to the pandemic, masks and social distancing are required. Jim’s service will be livestreamed on the funeral home Facebook page. Memorial contributions are suggested to the Topeka VA Medical Center to be used for patient needs and sent in care of the funeral home.