James E Baumgardner Jr

James E. Baumgardner, Jr. December 14, 1962 – March 12, 2026 James received his Angel Wings on March 12th after battling complications from diabetes for the last few years. James aka Skippy, was born in Washington D.C. to Eileen Maxine (Tarpley) and James E. Baumgardner while his father was serving in the U.S. Air Force. James Jr. was joined by a younger sister Mary Maxine (Maggie). When James' father discharged from the Air Force in 1965 the family moved to Houston, Texas. James & Maggie lived in Houston until they relocated with their mother in 1978 to Glen Dale, Arizona before settling in Kansas in 1980. James met the love of his life, Maria Bybee, in 1982 and they married shortly thereafter settling in Pittsburg, Kansas where they raised their children Melissa, born in October 1982 and Ryan born in September 1984. James' trade was painting & remodeling residential homes for 40 years until he retired due to ongoing health issues. James enjoyed CB radios since he was young and collected Hot Wheels and Disney movies as an adult. His hobbies were fishing and playing pool, which he excelled at over the years and entered pool tournaments and made it all the way to Las Vegas one year. James loved being a father to Melissa and Ryan, however, one of his greatest joys in life was becoming a grandfather to Christian, Matthew, Caitlyn, McKenzie, and Everly. James is preceded in death by his parents, wife Maria and daughter Melissa, brothers Richard Baumgardner and stepbrother James Geeo. He is survived by son, Ryan; sisters Maggie McConnigil (Ken), Tracye Sanders, Alisha Reese (John); grandchildren Christian, Matthew, Caitlyn, McKenzie, and Everly and two great grandchildren; nephew Teddy Jones and niece Danielle, as well as many other family and friends. The family would like to thank Dr. Lisa Ayala and her amazing team at Community Health Center of Pittsburg, and the wonderful Doctors and Nurses at the DaVita Dialysis Center in Pittsburg for the care and compassion they gave James over the years. In lieu of flowers please consider donating to The American Diabetes Foundation in James' memory at www.diabetes.org. Life Celebration will be on Saturday March 28, 2026, from 11am-2pm at The Lodge located at 2312 W. 4th St, Pittsburg, KS 66762 Arrangements are made with Midland Cremation Society in Joplin, Missouri.

James E Baumgardner Jr

December 14, 1962 - March 12, 2026