James Brian Passes Away

J ames H. Brian, 78, passed away early Tuesday, August 31, 2022, at the Midland Hospice House in Topeka.

He was born August 25, 1944, in Shattuck, OK., the son of James M. and Cornelia R. (Winfough) Brian.  Jim spent his grade school years in Havensville and graduated from Meriden Rural High School in 1962.  He joined the United States Navy, served during the Vietnam Conflict, and was honorably discharged in 1965.  The Brian family moved to the Rossville community in September 1979.

Jim had worked for the 7-UP Bottling Company, Henry Manufacturing, Goodyear Tire and Rubber Company, and retired from the City Of Topeka Police Department, where he was a member of the Motorcycle Unit.  Jim was a member of the Rossville Christian Church, Fraternal Order of Police, and American Legion No 421 in Topeka.  He was a member of the USS Yorktown Association.

Jim was preceded in death by his parents and a son-in-law, Bill Thompson.

On June 11, 1966, James H. Brian and Grace L. Hopkins were married at the Methodist Church in Meriden.  She survives at their home.

Other survivors include his son, Chris (Lesa) Brian, Rossville; his daughter, Carolyn Thompson, Rossville; a bonus daughter, Diana (Eric) Hefling, Maryland ;brother, Chris E. (Diane) Brian, Topeka; sister Lanell Nettles, Silver Lake; two granddaughters, Jami (Jacob) Auldridge, Rossville and Briana (Brent) Gould, Lebo; great-grandchildren, Draven, Harrison, Oliver, and Marceline Auldridge, and Eleanora Gould.

Memorial services will be at 10:00 A.M. Thursday, September 8, 2022, at the Rossville Christian Church, followed by inurnment in the Kansas Veterans' Cemetery, Manhattan.  A visitation will be from 5:00-7:00 P.M. Wednesday, September 7, 2022, at the Rossville Christian Church.  In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to the Rossville Christian Church Building Fund and sent in care of Piper Funeral Home, 714 Maple Street, St. Marys, Kansas 66536.