Jim Kier

Jim Kier, 73, of Gatesville, Texas, died Monday, Dec. 19, 2022, at his home.

His funeral will be held at 2 p.m. today (Thursday), Dec. 29, at Scott's Funeral Home Chapel, with Pastor John L. Dublin officiating. The family will receive visitors following the service. For those unable to attend, Mr. Kier's funeral services will be livestreamed in the service details link.

James Perry Kier was born on December 1, 1949, in Mankato, Kansas, to the late Charles Edward and Marie Theresa Benjamin Kier. He went to school in Washington, Kansas, and graduated from Washington High School in 1968. He earned a bachelor's degree in economics from Kansas Wesleyan University, graduating in 1972. In 1974, he purchased the family grocery business, Kiers Thriftway. He owned and operated the stores and expanded to other locations, until his retirement in 2010. Jim had ridden horses since the age of five. He competed and judged cutting horse competitions for more than 40 years, throughout the United States. He married Patricia Grimm on Nov. 22, 1994. They resided in Washington, and Scottsdale, Arizona, before moving to Gatesville in 2014, to be closer to family. He was an avid hunter and enjoyed working in his yard, mowing and time with his family and cutting horse friends. Jim had a special way with horses and cherished his special horse, Smooth Knitty Kitty.

He was preceded in death by his parents; brother, Tom Kier; and by close friends, Frances "Doc" Beam and Vivian Tinkham.

Jim is survived by his wife, Patty Kier; daughters, Ashley Wilson and husband, Ben, of Gatesville, Julie Carter and husband, Kevin, of Lee's Summit, Missouri, Kandyce Potter and husband, Grady, of Arkansas City, Kansas; son, Travis Kier, and wife, Misty, of Washington, Kansas, Toby Furnas of Arkansas City, Kansas; sisters, Mary Becker of Washington, Kansas, Margaret Stratton and husband, Mick, of York, South Carolina, Nancy Beeman and husband, Terry, of Topeka, Kansas; brother, John Kier of Newton, Kansas; brother-in-law, Sandy Grimm of Jacksonville, Florida; grandchildren, Tyler Wilson, Zoe Roach, Emma Carter, Ian Carter, Logan Kier; Hunter Kier; three great-grandchildren and several nieces and nephews.  Jim and his family were also close to his former wife and friend, Terry Williamson.