James Louis Dykens, son of Harold P. Dykens and Eva R. Kern-Dykens, was born on February 26, 1934, on a farm three miles east of Phillipsburg, KS during a bad snowstorm. His dad walked to town and brought the town doctor out to the farm on horseback, and as the storm worsened, he ended up spending the night.

Jim spent three years at Tiner one room Grade School, six years at Smith Center, and then attended Lebanon High School where he graduated in 1951. Following graduation, he attended college at Kansas State University for one year (1951-52) and then farmed from 1952-56. However, the dry weather ended that endeavor.

Jim then joined the United States Air Force in 1956, where he served as a Ground Communication Technician until 1959. He spent his first 18 months as a Radio Technician at Schilling AFB, Salina, KS, and then 18 months in Morrocco as an Armed Forces Radio Station Engineer and Disc Jockey.

Upon discharge from the USAF, he went on to obtain his FCC license and in 1959, went to work for General Communications of Wichita, KS. He served as Branch Manager both in Junction City and Salina while working for General Communications and oversaw the Police communications in Abilene the day President Eisenhower was buried. In 1960, he married the love of his life, Margaret A. Woods, at the First Christian Church in Lebanon, KS. To this union, three children were born – James, Mary Ruth, and Leslie.

In 1969, he worked for Conoco Oil Company as a Microwave Site Technician in Wichita Falls, TX, then moved back to Salina in 1971. In 1972, he moved to Norton, KS to set up his own business. Jim worked as an Independent Radio Technician for Motorola until 1984. Between 1965 and 1984, Jim restored three antique cars of his own as a hobby – a 1929 Model A Coupe, a 1923 Model T Touring Car, and a 1928 Model A Roadster. After selling his Motorola business, he then began restoring antique automobiles for other people.

Jim always enjoyed music, which consisted of singing and playing his guitar for many functions throughout his life and singing tenor in the church choir. He even played on radio shows with his mom and other kin at Hastings, NE, in the 1940’s. Jim loved fishing and never missed an opportunity to fish with his buddies. He also enjoyed spending time with his kids, grandkids, and great grandkids. Jim was a member of the Norton Christian Church since 1973, where he served as the Chairman of the Building and Grounds Committee.

Jim is survived by his wife, Maggie, his son James and wife Chris of Altus, OK, daughter Mary Ruth and husband Wayne Byler of Norton, and son Leslie and wife Lisa of Overland Park, KS, one brother, Dale, seven grandchildren, nine great grandchildren and one on the way, nieces, nephews, and many friends. He was preceded in death by his parents and his brother, Arden.

Memorial Services will be held at 11:00 a.m., Saturday, November 30, 2024, at the Norton Christian Church, 208 N. Kansas Ave., Norton, KS, with Darel Boston and Nate Hagen officiating.  Visitation will be held on Friday, November 29, 2024, from 5:00 – 7:00 p.m. at the church.  In lieu of flowers, memorials may be given to the Christian Church Building Fund