Eskridge - James Ira Troutner, 13, passed away Thursday, May 26, 2016 in Eskridge, KS.
He was born January 3, 2003 in Emporia, KS, the son of Roger W. and Deanna L. (Shearer) Troutner. He was a student at Norton Junior High School, Norton, KS.
James had a love for and of many things, such as going to the lake with his family, camping, hunting and fishing, drawing pictures, tinkering with anything he could take apart but not always getting it back together the same way he started. He enjoyed going into old buildings to explore and would collect anything he could find and thought of himself as a picker; however, his family would tease and say he was more of a hoarder than a picker. He was a talented musician, playing the drums and guitar and had learned to play the guitar by ear. He had recently started a guitar players only public group for anybody that played, his comment about his group to people who asked what it was about was posted by him as "This is a good (Clean) group. We play guitar, it does not matter if you play on the streets for money, or just jamin out at home. Just have fun". His family said that James enjoyed helping people, was very polite and a wealth of information concerning politics, he would research and know more than most adults about the upcoming presidential election. His mother commented about his love and infatuation with trains, he would listen for trains and if he heard one coming he would run and ask her to take him to see the train as it rolled into town. If he was good for the whole day when traveling with his parents or just at home, the reward he always asked for would be to be taken to see the trains at the train yard every time.
James was preceded in death by his father Roger Troutner on October 30, 2013, maternal grandfather, Arnold Shearer and paternal grandparents Dallas Ira and Vivian Troutner.
He is survived by his mother Deanna Troutner of Eskridge; brother, Jordan Troutner of Eskridge; sister, Lora Troutner of Eskridge; grandmother, Elaine Shearer of Almena; boyfriend of Deanna, Allan Babcock and daughter Tiffany of Logan and numerous aunts, uncles and cousins.
Funeral services were held at 10:00 a.m., Friday, June 3, 2016 at the Norton Christian Church, 208 N. Kansas Ave., Norton, KS. Burial was in the Mount Hope Cemetery, Almena, KS. A memorial service for James will also be held in Emporia, KS at a later date and will be announced. Memorials may be given to the James Ira Troutner Memorial Fund and can be sent in care of All Faiths Funeral Chapel, 113 S. Madison St., Smith Center, KS 66967.