James S. Kline, 87, passed away March 15, 2011, in Arlington, Texas. A memorial service for Jim was March 17 at First United Methodist Church of Arlington.
Graveside service will be noon Saturday at Marion Cemetery. The Rev. Faye Wagner will preside.
Memorials have been established with St. Luke Hospital, Marion, and Texas Commission for the Blind, Austin, Texas.
Jim Kline was born April 1, 1923, in Marion. His wife of 54 years, Barbara, died in January 2001. He was a World War II veteran in the 4th and 16th Armored Divisions of the European Theater. His law enforcement career spanned 37 years. When elected Sheriff of Marion County, he became the youngest sheriff in Kansas history. He also served as a special agent with Kansas Bureau of Investigation and was training coordinator at the University of Kansas until he moved to Texas in 1968 to manage the North Central Texas Regional Police Academy, the nation’s first academy.
He was a lifelong member of the Methodist church and was preceded in death by his parents, Harry R. and Georgia Kline, formerly of Marion; a brother, Don Kline of Naperville, Ill.; and his wife, Barbara Lea Kline.
He is survived by his wife of nine years, Nadine Kline, of Arlington; daughter Jill Miller and husband Ron of Grapevine, Texas; son Mark Kline of Spokane, Wash.; sister Ruth Jones and husband Glenn of Topeka; brother Bob Kline and wife June of Garden Valley, Idaho; six grandchildren; and two great-grandchildren. Jim’s extended family includes Richard Hoch and wife Nancy of Nebraska City, Neb.; Bob Hoch and wife Donna of Wichita; Beverly Hoch-Steinel and husband Mike Steinel of Denton, Texas; Jim Hoch and wife Cindy of Warrenville, Ill.; Bill Hoch and wife Alix of Aspen, Colo.; and numerous grandchildren; and great-grandchildren.
Arrangements have been made through Zeiner Funeral Home, Marion.
Memorials have been established with St. Luke Hospital, Marion, and Texas Commission for the Blind, Austin, Texas.
To view and sign the guestbook, go to http://www.star-telegram.com/obituaries.