In Memory Of
James Baska
James Baska
James Louis Baska, 83, attorney and former president of Associated Wholesale Grocers, died July 21 at his home in Olathe, KS after a courageous six-month fight against lung cancer. Memorials suggested to Kansas City Hospice through www.kansascityhospice.org.
Jim was born April 3, 1927 and attended Ward High School where he was an outstanding basketball player who utilized his 6-foot-7 height. He attended the University of Kansas where he played on the varsity basketball team in 1944-45. Jim then served in the U.S. Army as a drill instructor in 1945-46. After his Army service, Jim returned to KU and received a degree in business, and then ran the Baska Wet Laundry , founded by his father, in Kansas City, KS. In 1950 he married Juanita Carlsen, and they worked together in the family laundry business. Jim later decided to become an attorney and attended the University of Missouri-Kansas City School of Law at night. He then joined the law firm of McDowell and Rice, in Kansas City, MO and became a partner in general law practice for many years.
In 1976 Jim joined Associated Wholesale Grocers, of Kansas City, KS as staff attorney. He rose to become the company's president and led AG to revenue records and improved service for its members. After he retired from AG in the early 1990s, he continued to serve the grocery industry as a board member of Raleys' grocery company of Sacramento, CA. until early this year.
Jim was deeply loyal to his family and especially enjoyed family vacations in Estes Park, Colorado, where his ashes will reside beside a lake in nearby Rocky Mountain National Park. In the 1960s and 70s he and his family also raised and showed Quarter Horses, and Jim was past president of the Kansas Quarter Horse Association. Jim was preceded in death by his parents, John and Stella Baska; two brothers, Bill and Dr. Gene Baska, and a sister, Loretta. Jim is survived by his wife, Juanita; of Overland Park; and two sons -- Scott of Overland Park (wife Susan, and their four children David, Megan, Michael and Jacqueline) and son Steve of Olathe (wife Vickie). The family wishes to thank Kansas City Hospice for the excellent care given to Jim during recent weeks
Jim was born April 3, 1927 and attended Ward High School where he was an outstanding basketball player who utilized his 6-foot-7 height. He attended the University of Kansas where he played on the varsity basketball team in 1944-45. Jim then served in the U.S. Army as a drill instructor in 1945-46. After his Army service, Jim returned to KU and received a degree in business, and then ran the Baska Wet Laundry , founded by his father, in Kansas City, KS. In 1950 he married Juanita Carlsen, and they worked together in the family laundry business. Jim later decided to become an attorney and attended the University of Missouri-Kansas City School of Law at night. He then joined the law firm of McDowell and Rice, in Kansas City, MO and became a partner in general law practice for many years.
In 1976 Jim joined Associated Wholesale Grocers, of Kansas City, KS as staff attorney. He rose to become the company's president and led AG to revenue records and improved service for its members. After he retired from AG in the early 1990s, he continued to serve the grocery industry as a board member of Raleys' grocery company of Sacramento, CA. until early this year.
Jim was deeply loyal to his family and especially enjoyed family vacations in Estes Park, Colorado, where his ashes will reside beside a lake in nearby Rocky Mountain National Park. In the 1960s and 70s he and his family also raised and showed Quarter Horses, and Jim was past president of the Kansas Quarter Horse Association. Jim was preceded in death by his parents, John and Stella Baska; two brothers, Bill and Dr. Gene Baska, and a sister, Loretta. Jim is survived by his wife, Juanita; of Overland Park; and two sons -- Scott of Overland Park (wife Susan, and their four children David, Megan, Michael and Jacqueline) and son Steve of Olathe (wife Vickie). The family wishes to thank Kansas City Hospice for the excellent care given to Jim during recent weeks
To order memorial trees or send flowers to the family in memory of James Baska, please visit our flower store.
Service Schedule
Past Services
Visitation
Friday, July 23, 2010
1:15 - 2:00 pm (Central time)
Penwell-Gabel - Olathe Chapel
Memorial Service
Friday, July 23, 2010
Starts at 2:00 pm (Central time)
Ascension Catholic Church
Guestbook
Visits: 5
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