JAYME A. KOUP
Jayme A. Koup of Eureka, died on Monday, June 17, 2024, at University of Kansas Hospital in Kansas City, Kansas, at the age of 70. He was born May 7, 1954, in Garnett, the son of Alfred Fred and Norma Mae (Ferguson) Koup. Jayme was raised in Paola, and attended local schools, graduating from Paola High School with the class of 1972. He attended Kanas State Teachers’ College where he was a member of Sigma Tau Gamma. On May 25, 1974, he was united in marriage to Joan Elizabeth Akers. They made their home in Osawatomie. To this union, two daughters were born. This marriage later ended in divorce. He worked many years at RO Corp and Mid-States Supply as a warehouseman. He then attended Fort Scott Community College, and later Kansas City Kansas Community College, where he earned an Associates Degree in Mortuary Science in 1995.
Jayme completed his apprenticeship with Campbell- Kelley Funeral Home in Eureka. On June 22, 1996, Jayme was united in marriage to Sheila Elizabeth Ehrhart. They made their home in Eureka where Jayme raised Sheila’s son Matthew as his own. They have owned and operated Koup Family Funeral home since August 1, 2002. In 2012, Jayme and Sheila adopted Kodi Marie Koup, completing their family. In 2015, he decided to step back from daily funeral home operations.
He was well known for his epic Senior Day speeches, and a good limerick now and then. He enjoyed a good bourbon or scotch, and snagging spoonbill in Warsaw, Missouri. He was an avid woodworker and made many treasured items for his family. He enjoyed being outdoors, but his greatest joy was being Dad and PawPaw. Jayme was instrumental in founding and constructing the Greenwood County All Veterans Memorial wall in Eureka.
He is survived by his wife, Sheila (and their dog, Jake) of the home; children: Jennifer and husband, Jason Gray of Olathe; Amanda West of Paola; Matthew and wife, Trystan Thompson of Eureka; and Kodi and husband, Mathew Alford of Shawnee; seven grandchildren: Emily Gray, Spencer Gray, Laney Gray, Mason Gray, Indiana Jesseph, Liam Thompson, and Lochlan Thompson; one brother, Fred and wife, Linda Koup of Paola; two brothers-in-law, Mick Ehrhart and Kelly and wife, Crysta Ehrhart; and several nephews, nieces, and cousins. Jayme was preceded in death by his parents.
Funeral services were held at 10 a.m., Friday, June 21, 2024, at Koup Family Funeral Home, Eureka with Mr. Judd Everitt officiating. Interment will follow at Greenwood Cemetery, Eureka. Visitation hours were set from 5-7 p.m., Thursday, at the funeral home.
In lieu of flowers, the family requests that memorials be made to St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital or to the Eureka Public Library. Contributions may be sent in care of Koup Family Funeral Home, PO Box 595, Eureka KS 67045, which is overseeing arrangements. Condolences may be left for the family online at koupfunerals.com.