James Alan (Jim) Pilch, II
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James Alan (Jim) Pilch II, 53, Lawrence, died Sunday, August 9, 2020 at his home. He was born July 23, 1967 in Lawrence, KS, the son of Jim and Jill Pilch.
He is a survived by his beloved son, Carter, his parents, Jim and Jill and his two siblings Chris Pilch and Amy Edmonds.
Jim always had an avid interest in paleontology and herpetology, as evidenced by the two snakes and numerous fossils he left behind.
He graduated from KU with a degree in Biochemistry.
Jim was a proud and honored member of the United States Army, having first served in the Gulf War, followed by service in Operation Iraqi Freedom.
He suffered injuries in Iraq, which forever changed him.
Following his return from Iraq he was director of laboratories in petroleum engineering at KU.
No public services are planned at this time due to the Covid-19 virus.
Jim and Jill I am so sorry for your loss I dont have the words to express my feeling at this time to express my feelings to you both and your family.
Stanley and Linda hayden
My deepest sympathy for all of you
This man, a lovely unusual brilliant person
We became great friends in very little time
So sorry
Teresa Rasing
My deepest sympathy for all of you
This man, a lovely unusual brilliant person
We became great friends in very little time
So sorry
Jim & family, Our thoughts & prayers are with you during your tremendous loss.
Dale & Betty Guder
Jim and Jill, we understand losing a child. We are so sorry. We will keep all of you in our prayers.
Terry and Jerry Tuckwin
Jill and Jim: Our thoughts and prayers are with you. There are no words to express our sympathy for your loss.
Ruthie and Larry Hatfield
We are so sorry for your loss. Jim was a great and loyal friend. He could always make us laugh with his goofy jokes and off-color remarks. We have countless “Pilch-stories,” and fond memories, never to forget.
Brad and Susan Rischer
Though we went to high school together, I really knew Jim better through facebook. Throughout the 5 years or so that we communicated via social media, I learned more about just how complex and interesting Jim truly was. I will truly miss the thought provoking, interesting, and somtimes random odd things that he would bring to my attention on a daily basis. My heartfelt condolences go out to Jim’s family and close friends… I too will miss him.
I didn’t know young Jim, but know he had fine parents. He was a fine man to serve his country so well, My deepest sympathy.
When I first came to Lawrence, young Jim was a neighbor and a buddy. He helped me in the yard and we went fossil hunting out at Clinton Lake. We found the first fossilized spider and he was so proud!And I was always so proud of him.Sorry for your loss; he will be fondly remembered by many.
I am so very sorry. Jim and I were friends all thru high school and all the years after. I always enjoyed the conversations we had. He had a huge heart, a big smile, and I will miss him greatly. I am so very sorry I will miss him.
Trina K Langston
Dear Jill and Jim,
We are so very sorry that you lost Jim. Bless you all.
Marilyn and Curt Hall
My deepest condolences. I worked with Jim at TORP. He was a valued friend and colleague, generous with his time and with a sense of humour that this British ex-pat appreciated.
We are deeply saddened to learn of Jim’s passing.
We have many fond memories of Jim from our shared interest in the Kansas Herpetology Society and all things snakey. He was one of the experts.
It was good to reconnect with him recently and enjoy once again the amazing breadth and depth of his knowledge and understanding.
Our heartfelt sympathy to all his family and close friends.
I worked with Jim at Sirloin Stockade in Lawrence when we were in High School.
Jim and I ran into one another several times after we graduated. Jim always made me smile and gave me a big hug! I will truly miss him.
My condolences to his family and my thoughts and prayers go out to you.
My deepest sympathy – Jim’s passing is heart wrenching and a tragic overflow consequence of war. He brightened my life in the time I shared with him. I’m very sad for your loss of your son. <3
I am truly sorry to hear this news. My condolences are with your family.
We are so sorry for your loss. Thinking of you during this difficult time.
I was so sad to see the notice of Jim’s passing. I cannot even imagine your feelings of loss. My thoughts and prayers are with you and your whole family.
Our deepest sympathies go out to your family at this time. Our prayers and thoughts are with you.
I can not even start to imagine the deep sense of despair at the loss of a child, no matter the age. My heart is heavy for JIM & Jill and family. So very sorry.
I knew of Jim when he first earned all those scars. I he was older and I knew of him through my elder sister. I never met him until we worked together in Engineering at KU, where I got to know him well. He was a dear friend and we’ve kept in touch for these 20+years.
I will miss his giant bear hugs, bonkers jokes, fearlessness in expression, and skeptical optimism. We had recently been talking of Covid and how it would change the world, but it would all be ok. His last message to me was that we would both get through it. He’d also been talking of how recent improvements in his health had slid backward, but he was hoping to overcome again.
My condolences to all who loved Jim, and who will miss him as I will.
I first met Jim in basic training in the winter of 1989; I knew instantly that we would be friends for life. We went through basic together and then through AIT at Ft. Gordon Georgia. We were in the same company there and spent all of our free time together. I have SO many stories of our time together it is mind boggling! After AIT, Jim went back to Lawrence and continued his studies, I was regular Army and got stationed at Ft. Riley. During my enlistment, I would drive from Manhattan to Lawrence and spend weekends with Jim whenever time permitted. After I separated from the military, I would see Jim occasionally (I still live in KC) over the years; that was always “entertaining” to say the least! I know this is extraordinarily delayed post; however, I just found out Jim passed. I will forever cherish the time I spent with Jim and the memories of him…Sincerely Rod Pfender