Fidel Jimenez, Sr.
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Born December 25, 1929, in Paxico, Kansas, to Luis and Maria Jimenez and raised in Union Pacific Railroad boxcar housing in Williamstown, Kansas. He attended Williamstown Elementary School through the 8th grade. His family moved to Lawrence after the family’s boxcar house was abandoned because of a flood.
He worked for the Union Pacific Railroad from 1947 until he retired in 1985. In retirement, he worked part-time for Dillions delivering, pharmacy orders, flowers and party balloons.
Fidel Sr. was a skilled musician who played mandolin and later the drums. He performed in bands at dances, weddings, anniversaries, baptisms and other joyous occasions in Lawrence, Topeka, and surrounding Mexican American communities. His bands played both Mexican and Country Western music.
He married Rosa Bermudez in 1948. She predeceased him on December 30, 1992. They were happily married for 44 years and raised a son, Fidel Jimenez Jr., who was born on January 4, 1949. He survives his father at his residence west of Lawrence. Fidel Jr. has been happily married to Janet (Ray) Jimenez for 54 years.
Fidel Sr. is survived by a sister, Virginia Romero of Lawrence, Mary (Jimenez) Knowles of Fernley, Nevada, and a brother Johnny Jimenez of Oklahoma City, and was predeceased by a brother Joe Jimenez of Kansas City, Kansas.
Other family survivors include two grandchildren Brian Lee Jimenez (wife, Kelley) and Michelle Kay (Jimenez) Miller; six great grandchildren Jakeb Jimenez, Olivia, Jimenez, Jude Jimenez; Andrew Miller, Alexis Miller, and Austin Miller; and one great-great granddaughter Lainey Addison Miller.
The family will greet friends from 6:00 – 8:00 p.m., Thursday, September 30, 2021, at the Warren-McElwain Mortuary in Lawrence, Kansas.
Memorial Mass for Fidel Jimenez Sr will be held at 11:00 a.m., Friday October 1, 2021, at St. John the Evangelist Catholic Church in Lawrence, Kansas. Fidel passed away on Thursday September 23, 2021, at his son’s home. Inurnment of Fidel Sr’s ashes will take place at a later date at Mt Calvary Catholic Cemetery in Lawrence.
A reception will be held immediately after the funeral mass.
Deepest sympathies and condolences to the family.
Sending thoughts and prayers to the family
So sorry Fidel and Janet for your loss. My deepest sympathies are with you and your family.
So very sorry to hear of Fidel’s passing. I remember him well from working for Union Pacific with my dad for years. Janet and I are also friends from kindergarten. Sending hugs and prayers.
Kathy (Dolifka) Gillihan Hatcher
So very sorry to hear of Fidel’s passing. I remember him well from working for Union Pacific with my dad for years. Janet and I are also friends from kindergarten. Sending prayers and hugs.
Fidel, Janet and family I am sorry for your loss. He will be missed.
I remember Mr. Jimenez well and know that he will be missed by many people. My condolences to Fidel Jr. and Janet and all the Jimenez family. You are in my thoughts.
Nancy Nowlin
Fidel and Janet I am sorry for your loss. Hope you are doing as well as possible under the circumstances.
With a saddened heart,
Dave Davison
Fidel and Janet and family. My prayers to your family during this difficult time.
I’m so sorry for your loss. I know how special Fidel was to your family. He is already terribly missed.
The world has loss a great rail, I got to know Fidel well when he worked for my father on the Lawrence section and as his truck driver then the crossing watchman. He was a one of a kind person to be around and look up to. Sorry to read this and he will be terribly messed
I am so sorry for your loss. I was sister to Bobby G Herren the foreman on the railroad when Fidel worked on the railroad. Bobby passed two years ago. So now they can have good times again. Fidel was a wonderful Husband and Father i am sure so God Bless His Family.
I am sad to be learning this so late. I worked with Fidel Jr. at the KU Printing Service in late 80s – Early 90s. Fidel spoke fondly of his Father often. I know Sr. Had to be a Great Man, cuz Fidel Jr. is an awfully good fellow, himself.