James Rangel's life was defined by a simple choice: Get busy livin' or get busy dying. And he lived a lot of life in 62 years.

Born in Wichita to Janie and James Sr., James Samuel Rangel Jr. began his earthly pilgrimage in Wichita, Kansas, on February 19, 1964.

James was a proud East High graduate. He was a talented team player in the kitchen, cooking at many iconic Wichita establishments, including Scotch and Sirloin, Merle's, River City Brewery, Riverside Cafe, and, most recently, Bite Me BBQ, until his retirement.

A man of many talents, he knew the guitar, was a talented artist, and loved collecting knick-knacks. He infused everything he did with creativity and joy. He was proud to be a Blackfeet Native American and frequently spoke of his family's sacrifice in coming from Mexico to build a better life for future generations of Rangels, Madrigals, and beyond.

James was blessed with the love and gift of music. He never played by the rules and never learned to read notes, but he could pick up an instrument and figure it out with enough time. He listened to all genres, but especially loved Electric Light Orchestra, Kiss, Jimi Hendrix, Fleetwood Mac, and Norah Jones.

He was an animal lover through and through, and those who knew him had seen him nurture lovebirds, reptiles, and colonies of cats with his care and love. They will surely miss him.

His second life began on July 12, 2020, when he won his battle with addiction in the middle of a global pandemic. He would have been 6 years sober from drugs and alcohol this summer. Besides his daughters, his sobriety was the thing he was most proud of. And we were all proud of him, too.

Liver cancer tried to outrun him, but James was faster. That speed is no doubt due to his love of the gym during his newfound sobriety. At the same time, he became a Wichita legend. Thousands of people have met him at local events around Wichita, with his beloved snakes, Maximus the Magnificent and Akillia, around his neck. They made thousands of friends together, all documented across multiple photo albums with hundreds of pictures. He continued to take his snake out until the very last week of his life, when Maximus the Magnificent also passed away.

He fought the battle and won on April 23, 2026, with his daughters by his side as he passed. "Purple Rain" was playing in the background, and he knew how loved he was.

James had no siblings, but his cousins were his chosen siblings. He is preceded in death by his loving parents, (great) grandparents, long-time friends, and lots of pets, including Akillia and Maximus the Magnificent. He is survived by a bunch of loving cousins, aunts, and uncles; his two daughters, Olivia Rhiannon Borland and Mackenzie Borland-Massey (Lazarus); and his beloved cat, Taz.

A funeral service and celebration will be held on Wednesday, May 20th at 12 PM at the St Paul Catholic University Parish at Wichita State 1810 N. Roosevelt Wichita, KS. There is private parking on site at Wichita State. A luncheon will immediately follow services at Central Standard Brewing, 156 S Greenwood St. Wichita, KS.

In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to the Guadalupe Clinic, which provided him with so much care in his final months.

Acts 8:8: "And there was great joy in that city."