James Richard Mentgen's Obituary
James (Jim) Richard Mentgen, passed away peacefully on January 23, 2017 in Frisco, TX. Jim was born on August 7, 1939 in Salina KS. He graduated from Sacred Heart Cathedral High School in 1957, attended Kansas State University and graduated with a B.A. in Business Administration in 1962, then joined the Army Reserve. He moved to Dallas in 1963 and started his career in reinsurance at Trinity Universal as an insurance underwriter. He met his wife Ruthellen Ashley at the apartment complex which they both lived, and they were married in Dallas at Holy Trinity Catholic Church on June 6, 1964. In 1970, Jim went to work at American Reinsurance (now Munich Re), was promoted to Branch Manager, and then to Sr. Vice President, retiring after 27 years in 1997. Jim was active in the St. Thomas Aquinas Catholic Parish; bravely coached several of his kids’ sports teams, and volunteered with Meals on Wheels and other organizations. Kind hearted and creative, Jim was blessed with a quick wit and sense of humor which brought joy and laughter to those around him. He was a gifted artist and expressed his love for country roads, hillsides and prairies, bridges and farmhouses through his paintings. His many other interests included playing golf, rooting for the Dallas Cowboys, Texas Rangers and Kansas State Wildcats, traveling (especially to Colorado), cooking, music, and spending time with family and friends. Jim was a devoted son, brother, husband, father and friend. He was preceded in death by his parents Adolph and Dorothy Mentgen. He is survived by his wife of 53 years Ruthellen Mentgen, daughter Kristen Welty and son in law Robert Welty, son James Mentgen and daughter in law Amy Mentgen, son Jeffrey Mentgen, 2 grandsons, 5 granddaughters, 2 brothers, 3 sisters and numerous extended family members. Funeral Services will be held at St. Thomas Aquinas Catholic Church, 6306 Kenwood Avenue, Dallas, on February 10, 2017 at 10:30 am. Funeral arrangements have been entrusted to Restland Funeral Home and Memorial Park, 13005 Greenville Avenue, at Restland Road, Dallas, TX 75243. Memorial Donations can be made to the American Brain Tumor Association.
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