James "Jim" ledbetter died on Saturday, December 8, 2007, at his home surrounded by his family. Jim was born at Horton, Kan., on Feb. 25, 1931, to Samuel Gordon and Alfreda Nina Ledbetter. His family moved to Highland, Kan., in 1946 where he attended school and met the love of his life, Phyllis Elayne Dorrell. They were married on Dec. 3, 1949. Their family moved to Kansas City in 1954. Jim was a member of the National Guard from the late 1940s through the early 1950s. Jim worked for the Bendix Corp. and was active in the Machinist Union. He was initiated into the Pipefitters Local #533 in 1966 and worked in industrial construction until his retirement in 1993. Jim and Phyllis loved traveling in their RV. During their retirement years, they traveled 160,000 miles and visited each of the 50 states. They were active members of Habitat for Humanity and of NOMADS, a voluntary agency of the Methodist Church. Jim was a member and elder of Longview Chapel Christian Church. He was active in Christian Men's Fellowship and the Property Department Ministry. Jim was preceded in death by his parents, Gordon and Alfreda Ledbetter. He is survived by his wife of 58 years, Phyllis; two daughters, Kathy (Jim) Roller, Linda (David) Hartman; one son, Nick (Connie) Ledbetter; eight grandchildren, Scott (Chris) Roller, Andy Roller, Kelli Roller, Luke (Monique) Ledbetter, Audrey (Richard) Overcast, James (Chelsea) Hartman, Erin Hartman, Adam Crowley; and eight great-grandchildren, Molly Roller, Amelia Roller, Gillian Overcast, Brenna Overcast, Nathan Roller and Aiden Cernech. He is also survived by two brothers, Marvin (Lillie) Ledbetter of Winchester, Kan., and Keith (Joy) Ledbetter of Denver, Colo.