James Patrick Ollek, 65, went to his Heavenly home on March 14, 2020, at Hospice House, Hutchinson, Kansas, after a month-long battle with pneumonia and complications.

Jim was born on November 16, 1954 in McPherson, Kansas, the son of Arthur and Wilma ( Billie) Ollek.  He was a 1973 graduate of Caldwell High school in Caldwell, Kansas and attended vocational school in Salina, Kansas.

Jim was a member of Our Redeemer Lutheran Church, Hutchinson, Kansas.  He took part in several mission trips to build houses for people in New Mexico and really missed it when that mission project ended.

Jim married Beth Showalter in 1976 and to that marriage was born one daughter.  Jim and Beth later divorced.  Jim met Julie Kuebler in Phoenix in 1981 and they married in 1982 in a one-of-a-kind wedding in the mountains of northern Arizona.

Jim's work life started early, helping at the White Swan, his family's cafe in McPherson, Kansas.  Through his younger years he also kept busy at miscellaneous jobs, delivering the Wichita Eagle, working at a car wash, cutting " the Padre's" lawn and working on a custom cutting crew.  The Ollek family had moved to Caldwell before Jim started high school and while Jim didn't at first like the thought of leaving McPherson and especially his best friend Bill Janssen and all their adventures at Bull's Creek behind, he soon learned that being the " new guy" in a high school afforded him plenty of attention.  He played trombone in band and was thrilled to get to march in Mexico City one year.  He loved fast cars and stories of Jim and his friends' antics on the roads around Caldwell abound.

Jim spent most of his adult working life as a diesel mechanic.  He worked for various dealerships in Phoenix, Albuquerque, Wichita, and Hutchinson:  International Harvester, Freightliner and Kenworth to name a few, but it was his expertise on one certain type of engine that earned him his well-known nickname of "Dr. Detroit".

Jim switched gears in the early 2000's, going to work for TECH,Inc. as a Direct Support Staff in a group home.  Two of his greatest joys in that job were cooking for the clients and being able to take them to church.  Jim also played Santa Claus at the TECH Client Christmas Party for several years.  Eventually the mechanic in his blood called out to him again and he became TECH's Vehicle maintenance Technician in 2005, a position he held until his death.  In addition to keeping their large fleet of vehicles running, Jim taught a driving class for new employees for a time.  He also helped a client with an interest in vehicles learn some of the ropes of vehicle maintenance.

Jim loved cooking, classic cars, fishing (especially with his grandsons), boating, motorcycles, the KC Chiefs and anything fast.  He was quite the prankster, seldom turning down a challenge, even engaging in the infamous outhouse races one year at a party at a friend's house.  He loved to tell stories, had a quick wit, an epic sense of humor and a special talent for giving people nicknames.  He was so many things to so many people and his passing leaves a huge void in many hearts.  Although he didn't share his wife's passion for yard sales and second-hand stores, he affectionately referred to Julie as his "Bargain Babe".

Jim's Dad, Mom and a nephew, Luke Schafer, preceded him in death.  We know they are fishing, drag racing and playing pinochle together now.  He is survived by his wife, Julie of the home, his brother Ed Ollek of Chester, MD, Brenda Schafer of Ashland, KS and Virgina Potter of Manhattan, KS, his daughter Jamie (Kevin) Bartel of Hillsboro, KS, 2 grandsons, Clayton Lingenfelter and Mackenzie Bartel of Hillsboro, KS, 2 nieces, Crystal (Tim) Braddock of Menifee, CA, Morgan (Chris) Bell of Lawrence, KS, 2 nephews, Bryan Ollek of Summerville, SC, Andrew Potter of Marshall, MO, along with many cousins and great-nieces and great-nephews.

Cremation has taken place.  A memorial service will be held at 1:30p.m., Monday, October 19, 2020 at Our Redeemer Lutheran Church, 407 East 12th Street, Hutchinson, Kansas, with Rev. Quinten Nuttman and Rev. Henry Blickhahn officiating.  For those not able to attend, the service will be live-streamed on the church's website at orlhutch.org.  You can access it through Facebook also, but you do not need Facebook to view it on the church's website.  In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to Our Redeemer Lutheran Church's LOVE FUND, in care of the church at 407 East 12th Street, Hutchinson, KS 67501, or to TECH at P.O. Box 399, Hutchinson, Kansas 67504.

Jim was always saying he didn't want a funeral or any kind of services, but at church one time, Dr. Bill Unsderfer sang, "Have Thine Own Way, Lord" and Jim took Julie's hand, turned to her and said, " I want Dr. Bill to sing that at my funeral".  Another time when talking to Julie, he told her if she felt like she "had to do something" to " just have a party at the Puddle and let people tell stories".  In keeping with those wishes, Dr. Bill has graciously accepted the invitation to come back to Hutchinson and sing and, although there is no longer a membership at the Puddle, Julie has rented a country house with a large outdoor area and a firepit for family and friends to share a BBQ meal and some stories and laughter, in the styled Jim would appreciate.  Please call or message Julie for the address if you desire to come to that, as since it is an Airbnb rental, Julie doesn't want to publicly list the address.  Jim would love to see everyone in casual dress, particularly sporting his 2 greatest loves, motorcycles and the KC Chiefs.  Please come with some memorial stories to share.