James Roger Ochampaugh, age 84, passed away on the family farm in Rooks County, Kansas, with his wife of 64 years, Ann, and family by his side, on August 16, 2026.

He was born on December 23, 1941, to Donald and Lucille Ochampaugh in Stockton, Kansas. James, along with older brother Earl and younger brother Clifford, grew up in Stockton, where he graduated high school in 1959. He met Ann Hrabe, daughter of Paul and Bonnie Hrabe, during those years, fell in love with Ann and the Hrabe family, and married her on July 15, 1962. James and Ann spent their early years of marriage in Manhattan, where James attended K-State, worked on the K-State Dairy farm, and played his French Horn in the K-State orchestra.

A few years later, James and Ann returned to Rooks County to begin their lives as farmers and homemaker. James literally traded his French horn for a 1948 Ford truck to get started. Then his farm journey began along with a few milk cows and the opportunity to work alongside his father-in-law, Paul Hrabe. They first rented and initially settled on a farmstead at Twin-Mounds. Soon, the James and Ann Ochampaugh family began to grow, with three children: Jeff, Amy, and Jason.

In 1967, James and Ann purchased the farm of Ann’s grandparents, Joe and Rose Hrabe, who originally homesteaded by Ann’s great-grandparents, Frank Sr and Anna Hrabe, in 1892, a few miles away from Twin Mounds and just one mile north of the old Hrabe schoolhouse. This is where James and Ann raised their family with a dairy and diversified farming operation.

James was a hardworking man who took care of his family and others. He was nominated at a community meeting held at the old Hrabe schoolhouse in the early 70s to help organize an effort to bring water to the community. The folks at the meeting said they needed a young man to lead that effort, and they chose wisely. James went on to help organize RWD #3 of Rooks County, served as chairman of that board for decades, and celebrated 50 years of volunteer board service in March 2025.

James also served as Secretary-Treasurer on the Rooks County Free Fair Board for 13 years, where James and Ann volunteered and gave of themselves to help make the community better with a wonderful fair and established a generational value that continues with the service of son Jason on the Fair Board. James was elected to the Kansas Fairs Association Hall of Fame in 1996.

James served in many other capacities within the community but somehow managed to get the cows milked twice every day. He had a wonderful sense of humor, was always quick with his wit, and enjoyed bringing a smile to others' faces.

During the years of grandchildren's visits to the farm, the whole family would find themselves in the dairy barn, helping Grandpa and Grandma finish milking and feed the calves, and then be excited to get to the house for breakfast, where Grandpa James was famous for sitting at the toaster, toasting and buttering Ann’s homemade bread. Once, when asked by one of the Grandchildren when he would stop making toast, Grandpa James said with a grin, when we run out of bread!

Farming is a vocation of faith, and James expressed his faith through his connection with God’s creation. He understood the responsibility of being a good steward and diligently practiced soil and water conservation, as well as proper care of his livestock. In his later years, after retiring from farming in 2020, James maintained his connection with the farm through his wonderful gardening and chicken flock, sharing produce and eggs with everyone who would take some. Of course, he also enjoyed competing with his exhibits of garden produce and chickens at the Rooks County Free Fair!

James and Ann worked hard to instill the values of work ethic, accountability, and leadership in their children. They raised them accordingly, giving of themselves to help the kids learn and grow through opportunities to participate in 4-H, FFA, and many other activities. James and Ann were dedicated youth leaders and gave themselves tirelessly to these efforts. In 1994, James and Ann were recognized by Kansas State University as Kansas Master Farmer and Master Farm Homemaker.

Especially after years of milking cows, James, along with Ann, took advantage of a new opportunity to serve more in the Methodist Church of Plainville. He found his favorite place of service in the kitchen, chopping, frying, washing dishes, and having fun doing it with the church ladies and other men doing the same.

James was a faithful man who lived his faith by example, giving of himself and sharing his time, talents, and treasures to help others. He made a difference in the lives of many and left the parts of the world he could impact better than they would have been without him. Well done, good and faithful servant.

James is preceded in death by his parents, Donald and Lucille Ochampaugh; younger brother Clifford; beloved Aunts Ollie and Barbera; father and mother-in-law Paul and Bonnie Hrabe; and many other dear family members, neighbors, and friends.

He is survived by his brother Earl (Carolyn) Ochampaugh and their family of Garden City; wife Ann of the home; beloved guardian of the farm Turbo; and children Jeff (Sandy) Ochampaugh of Russell, Amy (Keith) McAlister of Yukon, Okla., and Jason Ochampaugh of Plainville; grandchildren Ellen Ochampaugh of Leawood, Audrey Ochampaugh of Overland Park, Andew (Ally) Ochampaugh of Russell, Allison (Dom) Cannon of Spring Hill, Jacob (Jacy) Westhusin of Dallas, Texas, Jacey McAlister of Yukon, Okla., and Jessica Ochampaugh of Hays; and great-grandchildren Ira Josphine and Adelaide Ann (Andrew & Ally) of Russell, and Riley Rose Sullivan (Jacey) of Yukon, Okla.

A funeral service will be held on Monday, August 24, 2026, at 10:00 a.m. at the United Methodist Church in Plainville, with burial at the Stockton City Cemetery and lunch to follow at the Methodist Church in Plainville. Visitation will be held on Sunday, August 23, 2026, from 1:00 to 5:00 p.m., with family receiving friends from 3:00 to 5:00 p.m. at Plumer-Overlease Funeral Home in Plainville.

In lieu of flowers, memorials are suggested to the United Methodist Church of Plainville and may be sent in care of Plumer-Overlease Funeral Home, 320 SW 2nd St, Plainville, KS 67663.