James Allan Frush
September 24, 1955 ~ May 29, 2026
Born in:
Gilroy, California
Resided in:
Jefferson City, Missouri
James “Jim” Allan Frush, 70, of Jefferson City, passed away on Friday, May 29, 2026, at Capital Region Medical Center peacefully with his adult children by his side.
He was born on September 24, 1955, in Gilroy, California, the son of Robert Edris and Mary Katherine “Kathy” (Sullivan) Frush.
Jim graduated in 1973 from Oskaloosa High School in Oskaloosa, Iowa. Soon after he married Becky Smith. They had a son, Joshua, and divorced in 1975.
Jim met and married Angi Campbell in 1978. They had their daughter, Jami, and moved to Humeston, Iowa where he was Assistant Manager at Campbell Grain Elevator. They divorced in 1984.
James was hired as a route driver at Mahaska Bottling Company, a PepsiCo bottler, in Oskaloosa, Iowa. He earned a promotion to supervisor and moved to Salina, Kansas. After a 39-year career with Mahaska, he retired as the Vice President and General Manager of the Salina plant.
He was a member of the Oskaloosa Boxing Club as a Golden Glove fighter. He was a member of the Salina Country Club where he was the Men’s Senior Golf Champion and had a Hole in One. He has a record for a brown bear trophy in British Columbia with the Boone and Crockett Club. He was a board member at Crime Stoppers in Salina, Kansas.
Jim will be remembered for his wit, gregariousness and zest for life personality. Jim was an avid golfer, outdoorsman and dog lover who loved spending time with friends and family. He often hosted bonfires and card games. He had five dogs over the course of his life: Clipper, Jake, Jenny, Brody, and Finnegan. They were always at his side.
Jim’s final act of kindness was to give the gift of life through organ donation.
Survivors include son, Joshua (Kathy) Frush, West Des Moines, Iowa; daughter, Jami Frush, Jefferson City, Missouri; three grandchildren, Mackenzi Frush, Daniel Frush, and Jacob Frush; two siblings, Brian Frush, Montrose, Colorado; and Colin Frush, Ankeny, Iowa; and nephew, Jesse Frush, Seattle, Washington.
He was preceded in death by his parents and grandparents Gene and Velma Sullivan and Charles and Mary Frush.
Celebrations of Life will be held later in Iowa and Kansas.
Memorials are suggested to the Mahaska Bottling Company-James A. Frush Education Fund for employees. Jim started the education funding program decades ago and was a big advocate in driving its success. Local Oskaloosa and Salina families and communities have and will continue to benefit from the program. Mahaska Bottling pledges to match dollar for dollar donations.
Services entrusted to Trimble Funeral Homes – Jefferson City. trimblefunerals.com
Note: This obituary is protected against unauthorized reproduction or redistribution without the funeral home's or family's consent.
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He became an instant friend when he met me. Treated me like a brother. I pray lots for Frushy.
I am so sorry for your loss. Please know that you and your family are in my thoughts and prayers.
I was in a relationship with your dad in the early 1990s. During that time, I was fortunate to travel with him, visit cities I had never seen, and experience events I never would have imagined. One memory is a Colorado ski trip where I had the pleasure of meeting Jami. I also enjoyed meeting your grandma when she made trips to Kansas.
One trip that will always stand out was a Pepsi-Cola event in New York City. I saw my first Broadway play, and we were treated to an unforgettable week of wonderful restaurants and a beautiful hotel. Those are memories I will always cherish.
When our relationship ended, our friendship continued. We made a mature decision together. I had three young children, and we both knew he wasn’t at a stage in life where he was ready to take on the role of a father. Looking back, it was the right decision, and I have always respected him for that honesty.
Because of your dad, I also made lifelong friendships that I treasure. To this day, Mahaska in Salina has continued to support my business events with donations in exchange for Pepsi events I have organized since 1992.
The last time we spoke was in 2022, when he was talking about retirement. During his years at Mahaska he proudly shared his humble beginnings at Pepsi in Iowa to Salina. John Bennett/Team/Best Friend and Brother, Together they were there for each other and gave so much back to the Salina community. After John passed away, your dad carried on with John’s family and those community traditions, and I know John’s loss deeply affected him.
Your dad had a personality that was larger than life. He had a captivating presence, a magnetic charm, and was someone people naturally noticed wherever he went. More importantly, he made people laugh, feel welcome, and created wonderful memories.
I’m sure you know many of these stories already. I simply wanted to share the small part of my life that I was fortunate enough to spend with your dad. I will always be grateful for those memories and for the friendship we shared.
I wish you and your family peace, comfort, and strength in the days ahead.
With sincere sympathy,
Sheri