James H. Sexton, Jr.

James H. Sexton, Jr., 72, of Salina, Kansas, passed away Wednesday, April 28th, 2021. James was born in Okemah, Oklahoma on July 29, 1948, a son of the late Jessie (Lewis) and James H. Sexton, Sr. James grew up in Borger, Tx. He moved to Boise City, Ok where he met and married Ruth in 1971. He worked for Gore both at the rock crusher in Colorado and concrete work in Elkhart. He was one of the best Backhoe operators around digging many of the basements in Elkhart in those days. He moved to Elkhart and began working for the Water Department in 1976. In the early 80’s, James and Ruth owned and operated The Game Room, Elkhart’s first and best video game recreation hangout. His time at the Water Department ended and he had his first triple bypass in 1994. He then began working at the maintenance department at the Morton County Hospital until he had a quadruple bypass in 1998. James and Ruth moved from Elkhart to Salina in 2007 to be near their grandkids. In 2012 his heart condition deteriorated to the point that he had to have a LVAD heart pump put in. James was the most successful recipient of an LVAD having it for almost 9 years. The family want to extend gratitude to all the doctors and nurses who took care of him at the Morton County Hospital, Heartland Cardiology of Andover, and the LVAD team at Integris Baptist Medical Center in Oklahoma City. James was a musician, artist, craftsman, and sportsman. He was a founding member of the Cimarron Sportsman Club and enjoyed target shooting and coyote hunting. He wrote music, painted, built models, raced slot cars, and crafted and sold many knives around the area. James received Christ as Savior in 1993 and was a member of Bible Baptist Church and First Baptist Church. This year James and Ruth celebrated their 50th wedding anniversary. He was always a devoted family man. Survivors include his wife, Ruth Sexton, of the home; daughter, Martha Bowen of Hutchinson; son, JJ Sexton (Debbie), of Salina; son-in-law, Chad Bowen of Hutchinson; grandchildren, Hannah Balman (Luke), Sarah Sexton, Leah Sexton, Ethan Sexton, Gavyn Bowen, Alyvia Bowen; and great grandson, Bruce Balman; Graveside services will be at 1:00 pm, Monday, May 3rd at Elkhart City Cemetery in Elkhart, Kansas. Donations may be made to Village Bible Church, sent in care of Carlson-Geisendorf Funeral Home, 500 S. Ohio St., Salina, Kansas 67401.