Rufas J. “Jim” VanPelt, 30, of Kimball, died at Regional West Medical Center in Scottsbluff on Tuesday, January 31, 2012.  Memorial services were held at 10:00 a.m. on Saturday, February 4, 2012 at the Cantrell Funeral Home in Kimball with Pastor Mel Daves officiating.  Cremation has taken place and private family inurnment will be held at a later date.  Friends may leave on line condolences at www.cantrellfh.com.  Memorials have been established to the family.  The services for Jim have been entrusted to the Cantrell Funeral Homes.

Rufas James VanPelt was born in Dickinson, North Dakota on April 20, 1981, the son of Clinton and Donna (Walker) VanPelt.  He attended elementary school in Banner County.  He moved to Amarillo, Texas and attended Caprock High School and was involved in the ROTC program.  He then moved to Kimball and graduated from the Kimball High School in 2001.  Jim was married to Crystal Allen in Kimball on July 25, 2002.  He worked at Clean Harbors and had many friends that worked there.  He was working at Castronics at the time of his death.  Jim enjoyed spending time with his friends, watching football and will be remembered for his artistic talent.  He loved his children and enjoyed coaching them in football, wrestling and soccer.

He is survived by his wife Crystal and their children, Shawn, Christian and Kaitlynn all of Kimball; his mother Donna VanPelt of Port Orchard, Washington; brothers Joseph Buchanon and Thomas VanPelt both of Port Orchard, Washington; sister Bobbie VanPelt of Bremerton, Washington; grandmother Beverley VanPelt of Kimball; aunts Jellene (Donavan) Erickson, Tonya Holick ( David Rodgers) both of Kimball, Jackie (Howard) Ramsey of Dix, and Rhonda (Eric) Ventures of Port Orchard, Washington; numerous nieces and nephews; friend Peter Leslie; mother and father-in-law Marcia and Dennis Allen; sisters and brothers-in-law Stacy and Christopher and Shawnna and Darrell.  Jim was preceded in death by his father Clint; grandfather Thomas VanPelt; brother Michael Patrick Archuleta; uncle Marty; grandparents Robert and Dorothy Walker; cousin Casey Dudley; and close friends Jason Fegler and Brandon Overlin.