James E Upton

James E. Upton

The Venerable James E Upton, 57, Archdeacon of the Episcopal Diocese of Kansas, died Sunday, (June 17, 2007) at his home in Newton. He was born on June 9, 1950, in Kansas City, Mo. to James B. Upton and Mary E. (McCarty) Weyand. On June 16, 1979 he married Mary Drescher in Wichita. She survives at home. Jim was a graduate of Wichita State University with a Bachelor of Arts in History, Anthropology and Education and a Master of Arts degree in Education Psychology. A longtime educator, Jim taught special needs children and was the vocational and special needs coordinator for the Sedgwick County Special Education Cooperative. In 1984 Jim was ordained as a Deacon in the Episcopal Church. He subsequently served at St. Christopher's and St. Alban's, both in Wichita and St. Matthew's in Newton. He was an archdeacon for the Diocese of Kansas. Jim also was past director and was serving as coordinator of the Kansas School of Ministry in Topeka.

A dedicated Boy Scout, earning his Eagle Scout designation in 1967 and later the Scout's Silver Beaver Award, Jim worked for many years on the National Boy Scout Council and remained involved with Boy Scouts at both the local and national levels. He served on the board of Camp Wood YMCA, Elmdale, for many years. He also served as Diocesan Junior High Camp counselor and Episcopal camp director from 1980 to 2001. In 2003, Jim received The Bishop's Vision award in the Diocese of Kansas and in 2005 he was one of nine deacons honored with the "Recognition of Diaconal Ministry" designation given by the North American Association for the Diaconate.

Surviving family members include: daughter, Megan Tyner of Newton; two sons, James Upton of Wichita and Jeff Upton of Newton; one brother Bill Upton of Wellington; five sisters, Elizabeth Hill of Lehigh, Judy Sheahan of Longwood, Fla., Robyn Weyand of Pikeville, Ky., and ViAnn Neal and Edna Mehihorn both of Oklahoma City; and two grandchildren, Maggie and Lennon James Tyner of Newton.

Jim was proceeded in death by his mother, Mary Weyand; stepfather, Elmer Weyand; father, James B. Upton; sister, Kay Geiman; and infant brother John Steven.

A vigil service will be at 6:30 p.m. on Thursday at St. Matthew's Episcopal Church in Newton. The family will receive friends in the Parish Hall following the service. A Requiem Eucharist will be at 11:00 a.m. Friday at St. Matthew's with The Right Reverend Dean E. Wolfe, ninth Bishop of the Diocese of Kansas, presiding. The family will have a private interment at a later date.

Memorials have been established with The Kansas School of Ministry, Camp Wood YMCA and Quivera Scout Ranch in care of Petersen Funeral Home.