Jesse Latham

Jesse Earl Latham, Republic, KS was born June 30, 1934 in Antlers, OK to Gladys (Plunkett) and Earl E. Latham. He passed away on Tuesday, August 25, 2015 in Superior, NE at 81 years after a short bout with cancer. Jesse, the oldest son of eight children, was raised in SE Oklahoma where he spent his school years. At 14 he left his family home to make his way in the world where he started working in a saw mill in the Jemez Mountains, New Mexico building cabins and this is where he was introduced to the trucking industry. He met Phyllis Wheatley in Albuquerque, NM and 19 days later on November 30 ^th 1955 they were married. Together they raised 6 children, Jeanne Lynn, Donald Earl, Richard Lee, Steven George, Jesse Stuart and Darrell Gene. Trucking became his whole life. He drove for many different companies over the years and in 1977 they formed Jesse Latham & Sons Trucking Company in Republic, Kansas which is still active today.  Jesse and Phyllis enjoyed casinos and gambling and often traveled to Laughlin, NV and many other casinos to gamble. He is preceded in death by his parents, infant brother Harold Dean, older sister Bernice (Sis) Morgan, younger brother Jerry Wayne and one son Richard Lee. Jesse is survived by his wife Phyllis, Republic, KS, daughter Jeanne Latham, Olathe, KS, Sons Donald (Cindy) Latham, San Jose, Ca, Steve (Harlya) Latham, Belleville, KS, Jesse S. (Joni) Latham , Republic, Darrell Latham and Cheryl Harris, Oklahoma City, OK. Six grandchildren, Jesse Donald Latham, San Jose, CA, Elissa Latham and Tom Bernie, Ellsworth, KS, Steven Latham, Pueblo, CO, Lesley Latham and Andrew Fast, Kansas City, MO, William Latham and Ashley Colvin, Manhattan, KS and Robin (Dustin) Simpson, Lenexa, KS and one great granddaughter, Edith Bernie. He is also survived by his siblings, Gene ( Kathy) Latham , Albuquerque, NM, Ruth Kimbrell, Fritch, TX, Sue (Clyde) Powell, and Sherrie (Roddy) Lummus, Shamrock, TX, nieces and nephews. Jesse’s wishes were to be cremated and have no public services. A family/friends memorial will be held at a later date. Tibbets-Fischer Funeral Home, Belleville, Kansas is in charge of arrangements.