James William Fee '50

Jim Fee was born in Hutchinson and lived here his entire life with the exception of his two years of active duty in the U.S. Navy. His father, Frank T. Fee, was the printing teacher at HHS for many years and his brother Franklin graduated in 1949. At HHS, Fee was named to the All-Star AVL football team his senior year. He attended and played football for Hutchinson Junior College one year and received a Bachelor of Arts in Political Science from the University of Kansas in 1954. Commissioned an Ensign in the U.S. Navy, he served aboard the USS Albany as the communications officer and continued in the Naval Reserve for more than 40 years, retiring as a Captain.

From 1956 until his death in 2003, Jim built, owned, and operated Fee Insurance Group. He received the CIC designation and was a long-time instructor for state insurance certification courses. He served as President of the Kansas Association of Independent Insurance Agents and as the Kansas State National Director of the Independent Insurance Agents of America and was awarded “Agent of the Year”. With sons Allen and Bob, who joined the family business after college, Fee Insurance Group grew to a multiple location agency.

Fee served eight years on City Council with two as Mayor. He was President of the Chamber of Commerce, President and District Governor of Rotary, President of Reno County Red Cross, Board Director for the First National Bank, coach, Boy Scout Leader and active member of many other organizations.

Jim and his wife, Martha, raised five Salthawks: Jim Jr. 1974; Stacy, 1976; Allen, 1980; Bob, 1983; Dan, 1987. Twelve of their eighteen grandchildren live in USD 308 and three currently attend HHS: Jordan, 2008; Tyler, 2010; and Robby, 2010.