James Robert McCrea

James Robert McCrea, born on March 18, 1935, in Ottawa, Kansas, peacefully passed away on his 91st birthday, March 18, 2026, at AdventHealth of Ottawa. A man whose life was marked by dedication and love, Jim leaves behind a legacy honored by those who knew and cherished him.

Jim was born on March 18, 1935, in Ottawa to Samuel Robert and Fern Love McCrea. A three-sport athlete at Ottawa High School, he graduated with the class of 1953. Jim then headed to Kansas State University, where he began his service to our country in the ROTC program.

After graduating from KSU, Jim married his high school sweetheart, Karen Andrews, on August 24, 1957 in Ottawa. Together, they moved to Ft. Benning, GA where Jim served in the US Army until his discharge into the Army Reserves where he served until 1966. In 1960 Jim and Karen moved back to Ottawa, where he joined his dad Bob, in the family lumberyards at Ottawa, Pomona, and Overbrook. After his dad’s passing, Jim remained a main street businessman until 1995.

Jim spent the next several years before retirement as a superintendent for Loyd Builders, where he oversaw the construction of numerous schools and commercial projects across Kansas.

Jim’s service extended far beyond the military, as a member of the Ottawa Planning Commission, City Commission, and elected Mayor in 1986. Jim was a member of Kiwanis International, serving as lieutenant governor from 1980 to1981, and a deacon of the 15th Street Church of Christ.

An active member of the Ottawa community, Jim enjoyed supporting his son’s activities, and he enjoyed hunting, snow skiing, Kansas State University athletics, and anything with bleu cheese on it.

Jim and Karen were blessed to celebrate 42 years of marriage together until Karen’s passing on November 17, 1999. During her illness, Jim served his wife with love and dedication that was an inspiration to all those who knew them.

Then God had another plan: Jim met Gurtha (Jordan) Kuiken at church, and they were married on March 1, 2003. Together, they traveled to all of the lower 48 states, Canada, and Mexico. As much as they enjoyed travel, their greatest passion was time spent with family, friends, and serving God.

In addition to his wife Gurtha, Jim is survived by his sons Mark (Betsy) McCrea, David McCrea, stepdaughters Kathi (Tom) DeVoe, Lori (Jimmie) Jones, Kaye Buis, sixteen grandchildren, and twenty- four great grandchildren.

Proceeding Jim in death, are his parents Bob and Fern, first wife Karen, sister Marilyn Seifert, stepdaughter Lea Lyman and her husband Dan, and stepson Bobby Kuiken.

The community will gather to honor Jim’s memory with a visitation on March 23, 2026, from 10:00 to 11:30 a.m. at Dengel & Son Mortuary, located at 235 S Hickory St, Ottawa, Kansas. A funeral service will follow at the same location at 11:30 am with interment at Highland Cemetery,1050 East 15th Street, Ottawa, Kansas.

Jim’s life was a testament to faith in his God, and the love he had for his family and friends.

To share your memories of Jim or to send a special condolence message to his family, please visit the guestbook below.