James S. “Jim” Head
James S. “Jim” Head, 80, died Saturday, October 31, 2015 at Southwest Medical Center in Liberal, KS.
James Sylvester Head was born December 7, 1934 in rural Colbert County, Alabama. He was reared in Littleville, AL and in 1953, he graduated from Russellville High School in Russellville, AL.
He served as a submariner in the US Navy during the Cold War on the USS Pomodon stationed out of San Diego, CA.
He attended the University of Alabama, where he began his newspaper career at the Tuscaloosa News. He was Publisher of the Cushing Daily Citizen, Cushing, OK and Associate Publisher of the Florence Times TriCities Daily. In 1972, he became the Publisher of the Southwest Daily Times and held the position for 18 years. He started The Liberal Light newspaper 24 years ago, and it continues today.
Jim was a former Director of SNPA (Southern Newspaper Publishers Association). He was very active in the Liberal community. He served on the Southwest Medical Center Board of Trustees, Southwest Medical Center Foundation Board, Liberal Area Vo-Tech Foundation Board, United Way as Chairman, 30 M 70 Economic Development Committee, Liberal Chamber of Commerce Board, and as the Seward County Community College Development Drive Chairman. He was a member of the Elks Lodge, a life member of the MacArthur Elementary PTA and served as its President, and was President of the Liberal Country Club. He received the Liberal Chamber of Commerce Merit Award for his service to the community. He was very active in the Republican Party and was awarded Life Membership of the Republican Presidential Task Force by President Ronald Reagan. He was a very involved father, taking part in his children’s many activities. Jim was a devoted fan of the Alabama “Crimson Tide”.
On March 10, 1963, he married Jane Stanley in Littleville, Alabama. She survives.
Other survivors include:
3 Sons: James Stanley “Jim” Head and wife Emily of Lynn, AL
Jon Stephen Head and wife Danielle of Shreveport, LA
Jeffery Scott Head and wife Julee of Jackson, TN
1 Daughter: Jennifer Sue Grubbs and husband Scott of Valdosta, GA
1 Brother: Billy Joe Head and wife Teresa of Killen, AL
6 Grandchildren: Auston James Head, Savannah Jane Head, Adrian Joseph Head, James Loyd Head, Ellen Elizabeth Head and Harper Brooke Head.
He is preceded in death by his parents.
Memorial Service will be held at 11:00 am Wednesday, November 4, 2015 at the First Southern Baptist Church with Reverend Rex Petty presiding.
Friends are welcome to sign the register book from 9am to 8pm Tuesday with the family present to greet friends from 5:30 to 7:30 pm Tuesday at Brenneman Funeral Home.
Memorial contributions may be sent to Seward County Community College/Area Technical School (SCCC/ATS) Foundation in care of Brenneman Funeral Home 1212 W. 2nd Liberal, KS 67901.
