James R. “Jim” Pfister, 91, passed away on Jan. 22, 2023. He was born on Oct. 19, 1931, in Great Bend. On Nov. 22, 1952, he married Madalyn Saunders. They raised five children in Raymond.
Jim was a lifetime resident of Kansas and a third-generation mason. He continued Pfister Masonry with his brother, Jerry. Their quality of work was recognized throughout the state, with numerous jobs in Great Bend.
His love of the outdoors was next to none. A lifetime member of Ducks Unlimited and an NRA Golden Eagle, Jim’s favorite sport was hunting coyotes with greyhounds. He was an avid raccoon hunter and Plott Hound historian and was nominated by the American Plott Association to the American Plott Hunters Hall of Fame. Jim wrote numerous articles on the breed for the Full Cry and American Plott Association magazines. He rode his last mule at the age of 81, while hunting raccoons with his lifetime friend, George Weber. A famous quote of his while being questioned by hunting friends was, “Boys, I am getting old and running out of lies.”
He is survived by four daughters, Vicki Wood and husband, Dale, of Great Bend, Valorie Rosinski and husband, Mike, of Great Bend, Vencette MacLaren of Lincoln, Neb., and Vivian “Joan” Pfister of Great Bend; 14 grandchildren, Richard Doll and wife, Jean, Amy Gosnell, Kristina Johnson, Natalie Hoke and husband, Craig, Angela Miles, Kevin Duntz and wife, Candace, Becky Lazatin and husband, Doug, Jessica Fitzgerald and husband, Nic, John Currall and wife, Rocio, Melissa Keller and husband, Joel, Lauren Faulks and husband, Bodie, Nathan Barta and wife, Dani, Billy Pfister and wife, Kylie, and Jami Downing and husband, Isaac; 19 great-grandchildren; and one great-grandchild. He is preceded in death by his wife, Madalyn; son, Jimmy; parents, Daniel and Lora (Riggen) Pfister; and brother, Jerry Pfister.
There will be no visitation as cremation has taken place. Funeral service will be held at 3 p.m. Saturday, Feb. 4, 2023, at Bryant Funeral Home Chapel with Pastor Daniel Vandenburg presiding. In lieu of flowers, memorials have been designated to the Jim Pfister Memorial Fund, in care of Bryant Funeral Home.
Condolences may be sent and notice viewed at www.bryantfh.net. Arrangements by Bryant Funeral Home 1425 Patton Road Great Bend, Kansas 67530