James Joseph DeMoss, 65, of Fort Scott, Kan., died Sunday, July 12, 2015, at the Neosho Regional Medical Center in Chanute, Kan.
James was born Oct. 3, 1949, in Paola, Kan., the fifth of six children born to Chloris Ione and Gladys Maxine (Shoemaker) DeMoss. He grew up in LaCygne and attended school there for most of his school years. At the age of 14, he acquired a position at Willard’s IGA in Osawatomie, Kan., and then later secured a position at the Ford garage as a mechanic.
In 1968, James enlisted into the United States Army. He served in Vietnam from May 30, 1970-April 22, 1971; he also served in Indochina. Upon returning to the United States he was stationed in Alaska where he worked as a dental assistant. James was a recipient of a Bronze Star, The Air Medal and the Army Commendation Medal. He was honorably discharged Dec. 1, 1972.
After returning home, he attended Allen County Community College for 18 months, while working at Taylor Forge. He later joined the BTJ Pipefitters Union and was a current retired member of the local #441 of Wichita, Kan.
On Sept. 6, 1975, he married Linda Sue Kerr in Osawatomie, Kan. They moved several times due to the type of work James pursued but finally settled when they purchased their farm near Fort Scott in 1993, where they raised two daughters, Rachel and Rebekah.
He enjoyed fishing and trap shooting, but his passion was building and flying model airplanes. He also loved to host family gatherings on holidays and special occasions. He was a loving husband and father and a lover of animals, and enjoyed when his grand-dogs “Bear”, “Flip”, “Pebbles” and bunny-rabbit “Cadbury” came for a visit. Of course, he always had his little stray kitty “Monkey” that he and Linda rescued to keep him entertained.
James was preceded in death by his parents, three brothers, two brothers-in-law, as well as his mother- and father-in-law.
He is survived by his wife Linda and daughter Rachel of the home; daughter Rebekah (Kyle) Varvel of Leavenworth, Kan.; brother Jack (K.) DeMoss of Ottawa, Kan.; and one sister Carol Sue Lynn of Osawatomie, Kan.; along with numerous nieces and nephews and his first grandchild who is on the way.
Memorial service was Saturday, July 18, 2015, at Eddy-Birchard Funeral Home, 203 Main, Osawatomie, Kan. Committal of ashes followed at Oak Lawn Cemetery, La Cygne, Kan., with Military Honors.
Memorial: Souls Harbor, Joplin, Mo. Leave condolences at www.eddybirchard.com.
OBITUARIES
Norma Jeanne (Riley) Long ~ 08-21-1938 to 10-13-2025

Linn County News Published October 22, 2025 Norma Jeanne (Riley) Long, age 87, of La Cygne, Kan., passed away Monday, Oct. 13, 2025, at Vintage Park in Osawatomie, Kan., surrounded by family. Norma was born on Aug. 21, 1938, in Liberal, Kan., to Frederick and... [More]
Geneva Darlene Jennings ~ 11-15-1939 to 10-12-2025

Linn County News Published October 15, 2025 Geneva Darlene Jennings, age 85, Pleasanton, Kan., passed away Sunday, Oct. 12, 2025. She was born on Nov. 15, 1939, at Trading Post, Kan., the daughter of Charles and Daisy Rittinghouse Purdy. She graduated from Pleasanton High... [More]
Mary Margaret Wilson ~ 01-08-1930 to 10-13-2025

Linn County News Published October 15, 2025 Mary Margaret Wilson of Mound City, Kan., age 95, was called home to be with the Lord Oct. 13, 2025. She resided at the Anew Healthcare facility in Pleasanton, Kan. She was born in La Cygne, Kan., to Edwin Josheph Riley and Eva... [More]
More Obituaries
- Letha Spillman ~ 06-19-1929 to 10-02-2025
- Mary Alice Fagg ~ 07-30-1933 to 09-25-2025
- John T. Miles ~ 01-29-1960 to 05-01-2025
- Paul David Hamilton ~ 11-07-1950 to 09-23-2025
- Lora Lynn West ~ 10-22-1959 to 09-24-2025
- Lois Ann Simons ~ 11-12-1937 to 09-27-2025
- Betty Joan Haupt ~ 10-03-1931 to 09-29-2025
- Carolyn Lee Wilson Dunlop ~ 12-15-1944 to 09-27-2025
NEWS
Souza resigns county clerk post

Linn County’s county clerk is resigning. At the weekly Linn County Commission meeting Tuesday morning, delayed a day because of Monday’s governmental Columbus Day holiday, Danielle Souza spoke during the public comment agenda section of her intention to resign the... [More]
Farmers State Bank under new ownership

Time moves on and things change – and the banking world is not exempt from those changes. When Farmers State Bank owner Dale Sprague passed away in August of 2024, his wife Janice and family made those changes when they sold the three banks this fall to Citizen Bank owner’s... [More]
Linn Valley council updated on water, lagoon projects

Linn Valley city council held its first meeting of the month on Oct. 13 at 6 p.m. at City Hall. Mayor Lewis Donelson began the meeting by asking city employees present at the meeting to stand up front and introduce themselves and state their job title. The mayor continued by... [More]
More News
- Suit filed in Sunshine Meadows building permit case
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- Pleasanton council vetoed on fire volunteer appointments
- Kansas Policy Institute talks property taxes with legislature
- Pleasanton city candidate forum Oct. 6
SPORTS
Schneider makes State for Hawks in girls’ golf

Celeste Schneider made the 3-1A State golf tournament again this year for the Lady Hawks and will be looking to earn another State medal. To see the full article, check out this week's edition of the Linn County News or check out the online version here.
Wade and Britz advance to State for the Buffalos

The Prairie View girls’ golf team is doing well. The girls won the Pioneer League championship at Deer Trace on Oct. 7 and then followed that up by placing fourth at 3-1A Sub-State tournament at Crestwood in Pittsburg on Oct. 13. The Lady Buffs won the league tournament... [More]
Blu-Jays convert takeaways into Homecoming win

Pleasanton converted two second-quarter fumble recoveries and a third-quarter interception into passing touchdowns to break a three-game losing skid and claim a 41-6 Homecoming win over Southeast-Cherokee Friday at Blu-Jay Nation Stadium. The victory moves the ‘Jays’... [More]
More Sports
- Lady Jays host league triangular and competes at Uniontown
- Jayhawk volleyball has a busy successful week
- Jayhawk football wins thriller over Pleasanton on Homecoming
- Prairie View football dominates Burlington on Homecoming
- Pleasanton volleyball travels to Arma and Prairie View
- Jayhawk volleyball goes 4-0 on the week
- Pleasanton volleyball competes at Yates Center and Humboldt
- Prairie View football picks up a big win against Wellsville
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Call Barbara at 913-352-6235 or e-mail linncountynewsreporter@gmail.com
