Janice L. Damron

Janice Lee Nangle Damron was born February 19, 1938, to Harold Atley Nangle and Olive Grace Clark Nangle in Burlington, Kansas. According to family lore, Janice was born in the family home during a snowstorm that made travel difficult. When Doctor A.B. McConnell was called for the delivery, he was unable to make it to the home because of the snowstorm. A local man who had a big truck was called and he got Dr. McConnell to the home in time to help bring Janice into the world. At the time, Harold managed a drugstore and the man who helped Dr. McConnell had an unpaid bill. The next day, Harold cancelled this man’s debt as payment for helping Dr. McConnell get to their home during the storm.

Janice had two older brothers, John and Dick. She grew up in Burlington surrounded by loving family and friends. She was the high school marching band leader and highly involved with music. After graduation from high school, she attended Cottey Women’s College in Missouri, then transferred to Southern Methodist University in Texas.

During this time, she met Paul Stanley Damron, who was working as a funeral director for Walter Mann in Burlington. Their first date was attending the movie “No Time for Sergeants” in Emporia. They married June 14, 1959. They settled down in Burlington as Paul continued his career as a funeral director. Janice had a beautiful voice and often used her musical gifts with the piano, the organ, or her beautiful voice at many funerals. Her favorite song to sing was “How Great Thou Art.”

This marriage produced six children: Dana Paul Damron (LeAnn), Whitney Blair Damron (Kathy), Drew Thomas Damron (Jan), Spence Lolan Damron (Kelly), Marisa Damron Roberts (Reid), and Kelsey Clark Damron.

In 1970, the family moved to Ottawa, Kansas. In 1976, the family moved to Pocatello, Idaho. Later, Paul and Janice moved to Arizona. Janice completed her undergraduate degree and obtained a master’s degree in education and taught home economics for many years in Arizona, including the San Carlos Apache Indian Reservation. Meanwhile, Paul continued work as a funeral director. Upon retirement, they moved back to Kansas, settling in Topeka.

Janice, or “mom” to her children, was a woman of many interests and talents. She was an avid book reader and had an extensive library. She loved to garden and spent many hours in the hot sun, planting and nourishing and weeding her flower beds and garden. Mom read multiple newspapers daily, a habit she acquired from her parents. She was a member of P.E.O. for more than 60 years. In later years, she made sure to watch the news every day on the television and was always willing to discuss politics or current events. Mom was also very skilled with sewing, sometimes making clothes for the children to wear when the family was quite young and the years were lean. Mom also acquired a loom and enjoyed making rugs and tapestries.

Paul Damron passed away in April of 2020. Janice is also survived by eleven grandchildren and eight great-grandchildren.

A private graveside service will be held for Jan at a later date.