It was in Larned, KS, on December 19, 1945, Christie Raymond Bamberger, Jr. joined Chris and Thelma (Henderson) Bamberger, and their other three children, Linda, Shirley and Denny. From the hospital, he was spirited away to the family’s farm northeast of Jetmore. On Friday, February 26, 2021, he was once again spirited away but this time to his beautiful and glorious Eternal home.
Junior grew up on the family farm nine miles north of Jetmore amid a flurry of fun-loving Bamberger cousins, aunts and uncles and neighborhood friends. His mom thought he was a little accident prone as a youngster…however, he often laughed… and admitted many times he had manufactured “accidents” because it was a sure-fire way to get a new toy out of his parents!
In 1959, a little brother, Mike, completed Chris and Thelma’s family. Junior attended the Dry Creek country school until 6th grade when he enrolled in the old, redbrick Jetmore Grade School.
During his high school years, Bambi, as he was called, was an active member and officer in FFA. He enjoyed singing in school choirs. And while he went out for basketball and track his freshmen and sophomore years, his true love was football! He lettered in football and was a member of the “J” club his Sophomore year. A fearsome force on the gridiron, he perpetuated the connection between the Bamberger name and dedicated football players.
After graduation he attended Dodge City Community College, then went on to spend a year at Fort Hays State University. He married Denise Ann Litzenberger in 1967. This was in the midst of the Viet Nam War, so in the fall of that year, he signed on with the National Guard survey unit in Dodge City.
His married life was spent on the farm northeast of Jetmore where he worked in tandem with his dad and brothers, Denny, and Mike. Their children, Mendy and Kirk, were raised on that farm. Both were involved in school sports so most Friday nites found their parents attending volleyball, basketball and football games.
Mendy’s and Kirk’s involvement in 4-H included both hog and steer projects. Junior could be found most every summer, driving the tractor as he helped both kids drag their stubborn county fair steers thru the front yard, which was usually the first step in readying them for the county fair show ring. He enjoyed those years immensely. During the Fair you could find him leaning on the showring fence, smiling with pride, as Mendy and Kirk moved around the ring with their animals.
At one point, in the early ‘80’s, he and Denise Ann owned and operated the Jetmore Flower and Gift Shop. His all-time favorite holiday was Valentine’s Day. Many times during the day, he would load the finished orders into the van, and holler “I’m heading out!!” He absolutely loved delivering flower arrangements, bouquets and gifts to the folks in Jetmore and Hanston. He said it made him feel good to see the happiness the flowers brought to people.
Junior took great pride in his role as a farmer and steward of this land. He was active and sat on the board of the Hodgeman County Soil Conservation Service, and won their Bankers Award for Conservation in 1979. He also sold Conklin products and, for a while, repaired roofs with those products.
He was a member of the Jetmore United Methodist Church. When the members remodeled the sanctuary in 1984, Junior spent many long hours helping with the construction within the church and its dome as well as refinishing and staining all the pews.
In the mid 1990’s, he and Denise Ann divorced, and Junior’s life’s work moved from the farm to being a dairy service technician. This involved helping establish the large dairies that were going up in Western Kansas. While he was an experienced welder, his real expertise was plumbing. His experiences as a farmer equipped him to tackle most any problem, find a solution, and then put matters right.
By now he was known to friends as J.R. … and it was during this time he met Dorothy Lockett. She became his beloved companion and greatest supporter. Her family, which became his family, included five daughters, Kelly Rae, Kenna, Karey, Kimme, Kristi…their husbands and families.
J.R. loved all the Lockett clan’s activities…this included their annual camping treks to Cutty’s Resort in Colorado. Fun times were had by all, although it was said that J.R. had developed a love/hate relationship with that Cutty campground if truth be told.
“Tanking” down the Arkansas River in cattle tanks, attending Bamberger get togethers at Copper Mountain, and taking trips to South Dakota and Pagosa Springs to visit family were always memorable times for Dorothy and J.R.
The farm still had a big place in J.R’s life and heart. He enjoyed spending time back in Jetmore mending fence and checking on the cattle he had in partnership with his brother Mike. When in Kansas City, riding around with Kirk to check on painting jobs was a favorite ritual.
And then there were the activities of all those grandchildren! He followed their school and sporting events, and attending as many as he and Dorothy could squeeze in. When the Tahoe was headed east to Kansas City, they took in Brylee’s soccer games and did their best to keep up with Bailey! When the Tahoe was headed south, they attended Braden and Brooklyn’s softball, basketball and football games in Oklahoma. One of J.R.’s proudest moments was being on the sideline last December to watch grandson Braden help Tyrone win their first State Football Championship in 60 years! Football wise, he was a diehard Kansas City Chiefs fan, even though Dorothy was in the chair beside him cheering her heart out for the Denver Broncos!
J.R.’s story could not be told without mentioning his love and respect for our great country and its values. He held his brother Denny’s military service in the highest regard. Before his health failed him, he volunteered to help local veterans make 450 wooden crosses to be placed on veteran’s graves. Always extending a helping hand was just second nature for J.R.
J.R. was a wonderful companion, father, grandfather and friend. He added humor, stability, and love to all our lives. He was preceded in death by his parents, brother-in-laws Byron Ulery, Laverne Housman and a granddaughter, Sarah Huser.
Those left to celebrate his life are his companion, Dorothy, Coolidge, KS; Mendy (Brad) Stevens, Braden and Brooklyn, Tyrone, OK; Kirk (Brandy) Bamberger, Brylee and Bailey, Prairie Village, KS; Kelly Rae (Bruce) Howard, Ulysses, KS; Kenna (Doug) Bloyd; Karey (Treg) Hatcher, Kimme (Todd) Huser, Syracuse, KS; Kristi (Kevin) Fearno of Lakin, KS. Brothers, Dennis (Betty)Bamberger, Mike (Vanessa) Bamberger, Jetmore, KS; Sisters, Linda Housman, Jetmore, KS and Shirley Ulery, Yakima, WA; Lifelong friend, Denise Ann Bamberger, Dodge City, KS. Twelve grandchildren and twelve great-grandchildren and a host of relatives and friends who find the world a little less colorful since his passing.
Memorial graveside service will be 2 p.m. Saturday, March 6, 2021 at Fairmount Cemetery, Jetmore, with Harmon Bliss presiding. Service will be viewable via Facebook live at www.facebook.com/beckwithmortuary. Visitation will be from 9 a.m. to 8 p.m. Friday, March 5, 2021 at Beckwith Funeral Home, Jetmore.
Memorials may be given to 4-H Building Fund in care of Beckwith Funeral Home, Box 663 Jetmore, KS 67854.
To plant Memorial Trees in memory of Christie Raymond Bamberger Jr., please click here to visit our Sympathy Store.
A Memorial Service for James “Bub” McGee will be held at 10:00 a.m., Saturday, June 7, 2025, at the Bristol Grace Fellowship Church in Bristol, Colorado with Rev. Kathy Leathers officiating. Inurnment will follow in the Hartman Cemetery, Hartman, Colorado. James... [More]
A graveside memorial service for longtime Coolidge, Kansas resident Richard Helfrich will be held at 10:00AM on Wednesday, June 04, 2025 at the Sunnyvale Cemetery south of Coolidge, Kansas. Following the service a gathering of family... [More]
Harold Wayne Crawford, a devoted husband, loving father, and cherished member of his community, passed away peacefully on May 22, 2025, in Sand Springs, Oklahoma, just days before his 89th birthday. He was surrounded by his family and his beloved wife, Pat, with whom he shared... [More]
Tia I. Pennell passed away on April 21st, 2025 at her home in Olympia, Washington. She was born December 11,1935 to Walter and Zelma Schmidt in Syracuse, KS where she grew up with her five siblings; Eugene, Gano, Gerard, Lorraine & Mickey. She went on to attend Syracuse High... [More]
Elmer J. Simon, 91, of Augusta, KS, passed away Tuesday, May 20, 2025. Viewing 4:00 - 6:00 p.m. with a Rosary following at 6:00 p.m. on Friday, May 30, 2025 at St. James Catholic Church. Funeral Mass 10:00 a.m. Saturday, May 31, 2025 at St. James Catholic Church, Augusta,... [More]
Charles Albert Richardson passed away May 10, 2025 at his home in Kendall, Kansas. He was the son of Dee Loyd Richardson, Sr. and Edith (Stout) Richardson. Charles was born on June 23, 1939 in Iowa and spent his early childhood years in Grove, Oklahoma. The family moved... [More]
A Graveside Memorial Service for Holly, Colorado resident, Marshall “Bob” Gordon will be held at 10:30 a.m., Thursday, May 22, 2025 at the Holly Cemetery in Holly, Colorado. Per Bob’s request, cremation has taken place and there will be no visitation.... [More]
A Graveside Memorial Service for Donald Phillips will be held at 11:00 a.m., Saturday, June 14, 2025 at the Holly Cemetery in Holly, Colorado with Pastor Steve Knobbe officiating. Donald W. Phillips passed away on January 4,2025 in Houston, Texas at the age of 89. Don... [More]
The Hi-Plains League has announced recipients of all-league basketball honors. The selection process begins when individual coaches submit names. The players are then voted on by the other HPL coaches. However, coaches may not vote on their own players. Syracuse High School... [More]
Small but Mighty! That is the name high school Head Cheerleading Coach, Marcos Valadez put on the 2024-2025 squad last summer, “We may not have the numbers, but our team has overcome adversity and is always stepping up to the challenge.” Proving this, the Syracuse... [More]
The Syracuse Bulldogs Ladies Varsity Golf Team took first at their season opener in Stanton County on Tuesday afternoon. They shot a team score of 207 at the Prairie Pines Golf Course in Johnson. The varsity team is Lanee Owens, Bronwyn Lewis, Sammy Schwieterman, Maddy... [More]
Qualifying members of the high school track team traveled to Hill City Thursday, May 16 to compete in the 2-A regional meet against 15 teams, Ellinwood, Ellis, Hill City, Hoxie, Lincoln, Meade, Medicine Lodge, Oakley, Plainville, Smith Center, Stanton County, Sublette, Thomas... [More]
The Syracuse High School boys golf team battled breezy conditions on Monday May 13 competing in the 2-A Regional meet on their own Tamarisk Golf Course. Adjusting to windy conditions and competing at home paid off for the Bulldogs Monday, placing second, qualifying... [More]
State golf on Monday had the Varsity Bulldogs miss playing in the finals as a team by one stroke. They finished seventh out of twelve teams. On Day 1, Brody Keller shot a 92 missing day two by two strokes. Ian Brummett shot a 95, Mason Scott and Johnny TeVelde shot... [More]
Junior High Boys Basketball A, B, and C teams travelled to Elkhart on Monday, November 21. The A team won 41-34, B team won 26-21, and C team lost to Elkhart 13-20. Head Coach Vance Keller said, “Elkhart was a tough win for both the A and B teams but both grinded... [More]
The Lady Bulldogs were undefeated during the Border Wars, defeating Eads on Friday, 42-7 and Walsh on Saturday 62-5, bringing their record to 3-1. But the winner wasn’t announced until Tuesday evening. Syracuse Athletic Director Josh Johnson explained, “It came down... [More]
Last weekend, Ark Valley Oil opened up a new self-serve ice and water vending machine at the west end of Syracuse, on Highway 50 and N Highway 27. John Welch has had a vision for that location. When the property became available, he saw it’s opportunity. ... [More]
Drive ten miles north of Kendall where the blacktop ends, where the dust of the county dirt road flies. Travel a few more miles and on the Kearny County side of the border you will find the Horton Farmstead. Trees, farm equipment, a small backyard playground, barns, and a small,... [More]
Syracuse resident Marvin and Janet Weis returned home last week to find a package waiting at their door. Marvin was sure Janet had ordered something online. When they got inside and opened the manila envelope, Marvin was shocked to find he had been awarded the Bronze Star Medal... [More]
“Since I moved back here, everything is falling into place.” Diena Schwieterman, 1986 SHS graduate made the decision to move home. “As soon as I made the decision, it seems like everything began falling into place.” Diena... [More]
Syracuse Bulldogs power lifting successful season is ending with nine athletes qualifying for the state meet Saturday, March 29 in Conway Springs at 9:00 AM CT, 8:00 AM MT. Qualifying are Natalia Figueroa, Stella Simon, Deena Rochat, Angel Peralta, Angel Ramirez, Will Roberts,... [More]
Scams. Hackers. They are everywhere. They call your phone, text a simple hi, email you from what looks like a reasonable business. They are out for your money or your identity. We often think they get other people, not us. Local resident Ronna Simon is exasperated.... [More]
On Friday night, the stands were filled with students, parents, and spectators out to enjoy homecoming against the Sublette Larks. The pep rally started off the afternoon with contests and games to get the students excited. The JH Pep Band played, the cheerleaders performed,... [More]
If you think you have seen a little spaceship on the streets around town, you are not alone. Many of us have wondered what this new contraption is and how it works. According to City Administrator, Brian Bloyd, it is the new Ravo R5 street sweeper. “This replaces... [More]
It’s the end of May. As I write this Wednesday morning boys are at state golf doing well!! Girls are headed to state track. So it doesn’t feel like school is out yet. I wish I could delay the paper’s publishing to have the results but life doesn’t work... [More]
It’s the last day of school. Another school year has ended. It has had a few challenges but overall a great one. In the last week, we have covered high school graduation, kindergarten graduation, and eighth grade promotion (next week’s paper). High school graduation... [More]
I spent Monday on the road picking up sheep feed and covering the Junior High Hi-Plains League Track Meet. Or in more honest terms, I spent the day running around for my daughter. LOL. It was a busy day filled with great memories. But I spent Tuesday in a... [More]
It is a beautiful, rainy Wednesday morning as I write this. Gentle rains have fallen all over our county, polishing the trees with a shiny luster, washing away the dust and dirt, and giving our crops a push. I tried to take photos of the rain for the newspaper but nothing... [More]
It’s May! April showers bring May flowers! We got rain!! Over an inch in the northern part of the county. In town, I have dandelions. They don’t look pretty. I mow and they still come up. I am torn about dandelions. Dandelions are a healthy, nutrient rich food.... [More]
We are nearing the end of April. Showers are in the forecast for the next few days. Rain in southwest Kansas is a beautiful gift to be treasured! Life has been crazy, which has become the norm for me. Between sheep, work, my daughter’s track meets, and everything... [More]
It’s early Wednesday morning at 4:40 AM, as I sit in bed sipping a large cup of coffee writing a few notes on my phone to finish this week’s paper. I walked into church Sunday. I saw the message, Hallelujahs and headaches, and I laughed. That is the theme of... [More]
It’s bug season in western Kansas. It sounds like drops of rain falling but really it’s bugs hitting your windshield of your car or pickup, and they are a pain to clean off. But they are also a sign of warmer weather here! For a while now, I have been in a funk... [More]
©2025 The Syracuse Journal. Powered by Pluto Sites.