Obituaries | The Manhattan Mercury

James "Jim" Arlyn Sperman

June 30th, 1942 - December 8th, 2025

Yorgensen-Meloan-Londeen Funeral Home

06/30/1942 - 12/8/2025 James "Jim" Arlyn Sperman, 83, of St. George, Kansas, peacefully passed away surrounded by loved ones on December 8, 2025 after a short illness.Jim was born on June 30, 1942 to William and Violet Sperman in Tipp City, Ohio. After several moves with his family, he graduated from Derby High School in 1960. His curiosity about the world around him and his love of learning led him to pursue further education. He went on to receive his Bachelor of Science degree in Education and also Biology from Kansas State Teacher's College (Emporia State) in 1965 and his Master of Science degree in Education from Kansas State University in 1972. Jim began his teaching career at Phillipsburg High School, then landed his lifelong teaching role at Manhattan Junior & High Schools teaching Mathematics. He retired from teaching after 32 years, 30 of those at MHS. His knowledge and dedication as a teacher were legendary, as well as his infamous "dad jokes". In addition to teaching during the regular school year, Jim also taught summer Driver's Education classes, which is why we say he had gray hair (not from anything his kids did). After retiring from teaching, Jim went to work at the K-Hill engine repair shop, then moved on to several positions at K-State with Moving & Hauling, Central Mail, and Disability Support Services as a shuttle driver, and finally ending his working career as an ATA bus driver. In 1967, Jim met Florence Batson at a church dance in Emporia, Kansas. She had come with some mutual friends, but being the beauty she was, found herself being hounded by one of the musicians. Jim being the epitome of a gentleman, helped her out of the situation. They fell in love and were forevermore lifelong partners. Jim and Florence were married on October 28, 1967 and moved to Manhattan, Kansas. They went on to have three amazing children - Sonya, Sherry, and James. Jim and Florence were always open about their love for one another - sneaking kisses while making dinner, dancing around the house, and holding hands wherever they went. Throughout their life, Jim always opened her car door and helped her out, and as they aged, was often carrying her purse for her since it weighed a ton. Their marriage of 58 years was as beautiful and wonderous as their song "Through the Years". Jim was a strong, kind, loving, and supportive husband and father. His unconditional love, knowledge, and guidance was the foundation of his family. Jim always put family first and was an exceptional husband and a wonderful, dedicated father. His love of nature, sports, hunting, and fishing was also shared with his family and led to many proud days coaching their teams and watching his children play the sports he so enjoyed. Though too, he was just as proud watching them land a fish or seeing their amazement at watching the vegetables grow in the garden. His love of nature included astronomy and during meteor showers, would bundle the family in the truck and head to one of the hills in the country. There he would put sleeping bags in the bed and point out constellations while watching for the meteor displays. He was never without a smile or a laugh. His positivity was catching and he radiated the confidence of a well-loved family man. Jim was a force of nature. One of his mantras, was "do what's right, not what's easy". This belief began many years prior when at 23, he helped provide a profound service in 1965. His church, like many across the country, had received a request from Alabama to come help register new voters - due to the Voting Rights Act. This law prohibited racial discrimination in voting. And many were needed to help register the new voters. The church would provide a room and one meal a day, but individuals would need to pay their own way down/back and any other expenses. The times were volatile in the South and riots were daily occurrences. But Jim believed it was the right thing to do, even if it put him in harm's way. So down south he went. While there he witnessed Green Book regulations, riots, marches, and even Martin Luther King, Jr. He may have been only one, but he helped forge a new way of law rights and it strengthened his belief in equality for all. Jim was a tremendous athlete, playing all kinds of sports, but his favorite was baseball. After high school, he tried out for the major leagues with the St. Louis Cardinals and the Baltimore Orioles. Although he excelled defensively at multiple positions and impressed the coaches by hitting over .400 at both camps, they felt he was too short to sign at the time. Had he been just a little bit taller, he probably would have been offered contracts by those organizations and played at the pro-level. After much consideration, he decided that the best path for him was to continue on to college. While a student at Emporia State, Jim met 3 individuals who became his lifelong friends forever known as "The 4 Fellas". They consisted of 3 men (Jim, Joe, & Richard) and 1 woman (Donna). Oh, the high-jinks these 4 got into! Even after graduation and all were married, the Four Fellas continued to meet twice a year (typically camping trips to Kansas lakes) to catch up on each other's lives and activities. Unfortunately, the Four are now down to Two. But the families still keep in touch, even if for some, it is through their surviving spouses and children. Jim was also a master repairman as his father had owned several small engine repair shops. He could work on that old International truck engine just as easily as a lawnmower - or toaster for that matter! He was a passionate craftsman who could be found in his garage keeping everything running in tip-top shape. He always attended his children's events - be they scholarly or athletic. Even when he couldn't attend the entire track meet because he was teaching, he would drive over during his lunch period to watch as much as he could. He was our biggest fan and supporter. In addition to coaching his children's teams, because of his love of sports and wanting more opportunities during the summer for his children, he became one of the founders of the Flint Hills Volleyball Camp which is still active today. Jim was predeceased by his parents William and Violet Sperman, his brothers Dale and Bill Sperman, his sister Beverly Riddle, and his heart sister Donna Lindell. He is survived by his wife Florence, his three children - Sonya Paph and her husband Michael, Sherry Sperman, and James Sperman, two grandchildren - Ryker Sperman-Wiens and Josie Sperman, and his sister Nancy Rogers Klassen. He is also survived by his heart brothers Joe Clouse and Richard Sach. My dearest husband, I will miss you so. You were my rock, my foundation, and my love. I know you are waiting for me among the stars we watched so many times together. In the blue of the sky, I will see your lovely eyes and how they would light up every time you looked at me. In our children, I will see the love we made together. I will miss your head on the pillow next to mine and our hands entwined. All these things and more I will miss because I loved you and you loved me. Until we are together again, know that I will remember all these things and keep them in my heart for eternity. Dad, we will miss you immeasurably. You were our go-to when life got rough, you were our steady hand when we needed a lift, and our comfort when we needed clarity. You were always someone we could count on, you always got your point across without judgement, and always provided us with sound advice. You made sure we made our decisions after thinking things through. You always gave 110% and never stopped fighting for what's right. Because of you, we have the hearts of a lion, the love of our family, and a hard-core work ethic. We thank you dad for all the calls, wise words of advice, the love you gave us, and the beautiful lives we've lived because of you, your hard work, and your boundless love for us. We are all better people, Dad, because of you. You were the best man and father we ever could have hoped to have and we will keep you in our hearts forever. The family plans to have a private graveside service, with a celebration of life at a later date. Memorials may be made to the Manhattan Parks and Recreation Flint Hills Summer Volleyball League and sent in care of the funeral home. Yorgensen-Meloan-Londeen Funeral Home, 1616 Poyntz Avenue, Manhattan, Kansas 66502 is handling arrangements.

Publication date: December 12th, 2025