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Jim Sander

Born:   April 25, 1931                                               Died:  May 21, 2006

Jim was married to to Marge for 33 years and had 2 girls that live in Illinois and a son living in Vermont.  Jim was a proud employee and spokesman for Steak and Shake for over 40 years and had a friendship with the president of the company that endured until his death a year ago.  He was a member of American Legion Post 639 for over 11 years and everyone at the post knew and loved Jim.  Jim served in the military during the Korean war from September 1950 until May 1952.  Jim was a very proud man and although he didn't talk a lot about his service, we all knew that he was a man that did what he was told to do, to the best of his ability.

The following is from the Memorial service Saturday, May 27, 2006 as told by his friend Howard Lampe after a prayer and Introduction by Bob Carroll, our Post Chaplain.  

"I met Jim here at the Post when I became a member 4 years ago.  Our mutual love for the game of pool brought us together.   We played pool every day for 2 years. Once in a while I would get lucky and win, but Jim was the King.  Besides playing pool Jim liked the casinos in Seneca.  I remembering one of his lucky days that started at 6:00 AM. We drove to Seneca stopping at a restaurant in Seneca called Richard’s, where we would eat breakfast and then on to the casino. Arriving at about 9:00 AM and as always agreed to quit at 2:00 PM and head home. We were right on schedule arriving at 9:00 AM with a plan leave at 2:00 PM. Jim went to his favorite machine and started to play.  He played the machine 3 times and hit the jackpot for $500.  He cashed out immediately and came to the machine I was playing and said" -- "Howard, I’m ready to go home if you are."

"So we left early and stopped at the Steak and Shake in Joplin for lunch. After eating Jim said, 'let’s go back to the Post and shoot some pool. -- I feel lucky.'"

"Jim had his own personal cue stick that he carried in his car. Last Monday Marge called me to tell me that she would like for me to have that cue stick; I was honored."

"I didn't want to use it and I didn't want to give it to someone else, so after talking to some friends here at the Post, we decided to retire the stick and turn it into a memorial to Jim. We contacted Bob Moss and he designed and built this plaque to honor and remember Jim." "Great job Bob, and I thank you."

"On behalf of all the members here at Post 639, I would like to present this plaque to Marge in memory of Jim.  But now I would ask Marge to allow us to display this plaque on the walls of Post 639 for everyone to see and enjoy?  I assure you that you are welcome to visit us and your plaque at any time."

 "The plaque will have a place of honor in our post -- near the pool table where Jim spent some of his happiest times." 

Howard then asked the group to relay stories about Jim at the Post.  A number of members told some poignant and sometimes humorous anecdotes of life "with Jim".

After the stories refreshments were served and we thank Betty Weeks and Kim Boller for providing us with a cake, coffee and cookies. 

Jim's Friend,

Howard Lampe

Some additional pictures of Jim (Thanks to Terry Rawley)

Some additional pictures of the Memorial Service at the post.