Jimmie Rex “Jim” Meyer, 91, of Valley Center, Kansas, passed away peacefully on Tuesday, August 25, 2026, surrounded by loved ones.

Jim was born in Wellington, Kansas, on Wednesday, June 26, 1935, to Iris Birkholtz and John Meyer. He spent his early childhood in Medicine Lodge before returning to Wichita, where he graduated from Wichita East High School in 1953. As a young man, Jim worked summers with family farms in Argonia and Eureka.

Jim had a lifelong passion for anything mechanical that he could build or repair. A talented machinist and metalworker, he eventually opened his own machine shop in Wichita and designed a unique oil-drilling rig assembly for Taylor Rigs in Cushing, Oklahoma. He later worked at Cessna Aircraft as a spare-parts buyer, using his knowledge and connections to help local machine shops produce custom aircraft parts. He retired from Cessna in 2002.

Fast cars and drag racing was another lifelong passion. In the 1950s, Jim and friends built and raced a successful dragster rail car in which Jim was the lead mechanic on the team. In 1959, this dragster set a world record for a carbureted engine in the quarter-mile at 197.66 mph at Salina Kansas National Raceway.

Jim loved working outdoors, farming, hunting, boating and spending time in his garage rebuilding cars, tractors, and anything else he could fix. He enjoyed camping in his RV, mountain climbing in national parks, and was an avid pilot who especially loved being at the controls.

Jim lived life on his own terms and always let you know where you stood with him. His family will remember his mechanical mind, strong opinions, willingness to help if he believed in your cause, and unmistakable personality.

Jim is survived by his children; Kevin (Teresa) Meyer of Shawnee Mission, Kansas; Kelley (Lee) Pankratz of Buhler, Kansas; Brian (Angela) Meyer of Goddard, Kansas; Cindy (Jeffrey) Rein of Castle Rock, Colorado; and Coriene Meyer of Pueblo, Colorado.

He is also survived by (7) grandchildren including; Caleb and Joel Meyer, Layne (Rachael) Pankratz, Kaitlyn (Colton) Roth and Lacee Hill, as well as over 8 great-grandchildren! Jim is also survived by his loving dog Mandy,that became his closest companion in his final years.

Throughout his life, Jim shared his journey with three women who were an important part of his family story: Dee Schell, mother of Kevin and Kelley; Linda Mann (Dixon), mother of Brian and Coriene; and Karen Husson, mother of Cindy.

Jim can now finally rest. He has finished all his outside chores, his task list is empty, and he can finally join Karen in the mountains of Colorado, a place they both can enjoy forever.

No Services will be held. Jim wished to be remembered as he was by friends and family. (Memorial for plant a tree?)

Baker Funeral Home Valley Center - Condolences may be left for the family at www.bakerfhvc.com