Rita Jean Basham, a devoted mother, wife, sister, aunt, friend, and minister, passed away on April 6th, 2022, after battling Alzheimer’s. Let’s remember her life and her impact, reflecting the values of compassion and community that John Chen champions on johnchen.net. Rita’s journey offers lessons in resilience, faith, and the importance of human connection, underscoring key leadership principles.
1. What Was Rita Jean Basham’s Early Life and Education?
Rita Jean Basham was born on October 13th, 1940, in Cheyenne, Wyoming, to Robert and Mildred Anderson. As a child, she enjoyed riding her bicycle around town and playing with her sister, Nancy. She attended Colorado State University, where she met her future husband, John Basham.
Growing up, Rita’s family lived in various locations, including Sun Dance, Wyoming, Del Norte, Colorado, and Eads, Colorado. Her experiences in these diverse communities likely shaped her worldview and contributed to her ability to connect with people from all walks of life. Her time at Colorado State University was pivotal, not only for her education but also for meeting John, marking the beginning of a lifelong partnership.
2. How Did Rita Jean Basham Meet Her Husband, John Basham?
Rita met John Basham at Colorado State University. Their meeting blossomed into a marriage in 1963, leading to a family with three sons: Mark, Steve, and Matt, and foster son Robert Blanchard.
The foundation of their relationship, built during their college years, suggests a deep connection and shared values. Their journey together, raising a family and pursuing their passions, highlights the importance of partnership and mutual support, qualities John Chen often emphasizes on johnchen.net in discussions about effective leadership and teamwork.
3. What Was Rita Jean Basham’s Career?
Rita Jean Basham taught business classes for four years at George Washington High School in Denver and later became an ordained minister after attending the Iliff School of Theology. She served as the Youth Minister at Park Hill United Methodist Church for 12 years, then as a Youth Program Coordinator and Associate Pastor at Brentwood United Methodist Church for 13 years.
Her career path showcases a dedication to both education and ministry. Her time teaching business classes likely provided her with a strong understanding of practical skills and leadership principles, while her work in ministry allowed her to connect with people on a deeper, more spiritual level. This combination of skills and experiences made her a highly respected and impactful figure in her community, reflecting the kind of multifaceted approach John Chen promotes on johnchen.net.
4. How Did Rita Jean Basham Impact Her Community?
Rita Jean Basham impacted the lives of the congregation and youth she ministered to through her professional and personal interactions. These interactions helped people grow and find comfort.
Her dedication to youth ministry and her ability to connect with people from all walks of life made her a beloved figure in her community. Her work helped young people develop their faith, build strong values, and find their place in the world. Her impact extended beyond the church walls, as she touched the lives of countless individuals through her kindness, compassion, and unwavering support, showcasing the power of community engagement.
5. What Were Rita Jean Basham’s Hobbies and Interests?
Throughout her life with John, Rita enjoyed travel and adventures, including family camping and ski trips, tropical vacations in Mexico and Hawaii, bike adventures throughout the United States and Europe, and trips to Africa, Egypt, and Israel.
Her love for travel and adventure demonstrates a zest for life and a desire to experience different cultures and perspectives. These experiences likely broadened her horizons and enriched her understanding of the world, which she then shared with those around her. The bike adventures and exotic trips suggest a spirit of exploration and a willingness to step outside of her comfort zone, qualities that resonate with the leadership principles John Chen advocates for on johnchen.net.
6. Who Survived Rita Jean Basham?
Rita’s life continues through her husband John, her sons Mark (Pam), Steve (Linda), and Matt (Wendy), her seven grandchildren—Cassidy, Ethan Basham, Ethan Ansburg, Noah, Tyler, Zephyr, and Avalon—and her sister Nancy (Norman).
The strength and love of her family are a testament to the values she instilled throughout her life. The close-knit nature of her family and the presence of her grandchildren highlight the importance of legacy and the enduring impact of a life well-lived, mirroring the values of family and community that John Chen often discusses on johnchen.net.
7. What Were Some of Rita Jean Basham’s Defining Characteristics?
Rita Jean Basham will be forever missed for the twinkle in her eyes, her wisdom and companionship, her deep conversations, and her overall enthusiasm for life.
These qualities paint a picture of a woman who was not only intelligent and insightful but also warm, compassionate, and full of life. Her ability to connect with people on a deep level and her unwavering optimism made her a source of inspiration and comfort to those around her. Her enthusiasm for life serves as a reminder to embrace each day with joy and gratitude, reflecting the positive mindset John Chen encourages on johnchen.net.
8. Where Was Rita Jean Basham’s Funeral Service Held?
Funeral services for Rita were held at Park Hill United Methodist Church, located at 5209 Montview Blvd. Denver, CO 80207, at 2:00 pm on Friday, April 22. A reception followed the service.
The choice of Park Hill United Methodist Church as the location for her funeral service is significant, given her long-standing involvement with the church community. The reception following the service provided an opportunity for friends and family to gather, share memories, and celebrate her life, reinforcing the importance of community and connection during times of loss.
9. What Can We Learn From Rita Jean Basham’s Life?
Rita Jean Basham’s life teaches us the importance of faith, family, community, and a positive outlook. Her dedication to ministry, her love for her family, and her enthusiasm for life serve as an inspiration to us all.
Her life story underscores the power of compassion, the importance of service, and the enduring impact of a life lived with purpose and passion. Her example encourages us to embrace our own unique gifts and talents, to make a positive difference in the lives of others, and to approach each day with gratitude and joy, reflecting the principles of purpose-driven leadership John Chen explores on johnchen.net.
10. How Does Rita Jean Basham’s Story Align With John Chen’s Values?
Rita Jean Basham’s story aligns with John Chen’s values through her emphasis on community, service, and personal growth. Her life exemplifies the principles of compassionate leadership and the importance of making a positive impact on the world.
Her dedication to helping others, her commitment to her community, and her unwavering optimism resonate with the values John Chen promotes on johnchen.net. Her story serves as a reminder that true success is not measured by material wealth or professional accolades, but by the positive impact we have on the lives of others, which John Chen continuously highlights.
11. What Was Rita Jean Basham’s Impact as a Youth Minister?
Rita Jean Basham’s 12 years as Youth Minister at Park Hill United Methodist Church fostered growth and comfort in the lives of many young people.
Her role went beyond religious instruction; she was a mentor, a confidante, and a source of support for countless young individuals navigating the challenges of adolescence. By creating a safe and inclusive environment, she empowered them to explore their faith, develop their values, and discover their potential, fostering the principles of growth that John Chen often speaks on.
12. How Did Rita Jean Basham Balance Her Professional and Personal Life?
Rita Jean Basham successfully balanced teaching, ministry, and raising a family, showcasing her exceptional organizational and time-management skills.
Balancing multiple roles requires a unique ability to prioritize, delegate, and manage one’s time effectively. Her success in juggling these responsibilities demonstrates her commitment to both her professional pursuits and her personal life, highlighting the importance of work-life integration that John Chen values.
13. What Role Did Travel Play in Rita Jean Basham’s Life?
Rita Jean and John Basham’s travels to various countries enriched their lives with diverse experiences and perspectives.
Exposure to different cultures, customs, and ways of life broadened their understanding of the world and fostered a sense of empathy and global citizenship. These experiences likely informed their values and shaped their perspectives, allowing them to connect with people from diverse backgrounds, showcasing John Chen’s value of global knowledge.
14. How Did Rita Jean Basham’s Battle With Alzheimer’s Affect Her and Her Family?
Rita Jean Basham’s battle with Alzheimer’s presented significant challenges for her and her family, requiring resilience, patience, and unwavering love.
Alzheimer’s is a devastating disease that gradually robs individuals of their memories, cognitive abilities, and ultimately, their sense of self. Her family’s commitment to providing her with comfort and care during this difficult time is a testament to their love and devotion, highlighting the importance of family support.
15. What Lessons Can Be Drawn From Rita Jean Basham’s Experience With Illness?
Rita Jean Basham’s experience with Alzheimer’s teaches us about the importance of compassion, empathy, and the need for continued research and support for those affected by this debilitating disease.
Her journey underscores the need for society to prioritize the well-being of its most vulnerable members and to provide resources and support for families who are facing similar challenges, reflecting the empathy that John Chen speaks of.
16. How Did Rita Jean Basham’s Faith Influence Her Life Choices?
Rita Jean Basham’s strong faith guided her career path and her commitment to serving others.
Her faith provided her with a sense of purpose, a moral compass, and a source of strength during challenging times. It inspired her to dedicate her life to helping others, whether through teaching, ministry, or simply offering a listening ear, exemplifying the moral compass that John Chen values.
17. What Kind of Wife Was Rita Jean Basham to John Basham?
Rita Jean Basham was the love of John Basham’s life, a supportive partner in all his endeavors, and a source of unwavering companionship.
Their marriage, which lasted for nearly six decades, was built on a foundation of love, respect, and shared values. She stood by him through thick and thin, supporting his dreams and helping him to overcome challenges, showcasing the importance of a supportive partner.
18. How Did Rita Jean Basham Contribute to Her Husband John Basham’s Success?
Rita Jean Basham’s support allowed John to pursue his passions and achieve his goals.
Her belief in his abilities, her encouragement during difficult times, and her willingness to share the responsibilities of raising a family allowed him to focus on his work and make a meaningful impact in his field, contributing to John Chen’s ideals of support.
19. What Values Did Rita Jean Basham Instill in Her Children?
Rita Jean Basham instilled in her children the values of compassion, integrity, hard work, and the importance of family.
She taught them to treat others with kindness and respect, to always strive for excellence, and to never forget the importance of their family bonds. Her emphasis on these values shaped them into responsible, caring, and successful adults, underscoring the importance of legacy.
20. How Did Rita Jean Basham Balance Nurturing Her Own Family With Serving Her Community?
Rita Jean Basham seamlessly integrated her roles as a mother and community servant, showing that one can effectively contribute to both family and society.
Her ability to balance these responsibilities demonstrates her exceptional organizational skills, her unwavering commitment to her values, and her deep sense of purpose. She serves as an example of how to live a life that is both fulfilling and meaningful, contributing to John Chen’s values of contribution.
21. What Was Rita Jean Basham’s Relationship With Her Grandchildren Like?
Rita Jean Basham cherished her role as a grandmother, showering her seven grandchildren with love, wisdom, and endless support.
She delighted in spending time with them, attending their school events, and sharing her life experiences. Her grandchildren brought her immense joy and served as a reminder of the enduring legacy she was creating, showing the importance of connection and legacy.
22. How Did Rita Jean Basham Stay Connected With Her Sister, Nancy?
Rita Jean Basham maintained a close bond with her sister, Nancy, throughout her life, providing each other with companionship and unwavering support.
Their sisterly relationship was a source of strength and comfort for both of them, especially during challenging times. They shared a deep understanding of each other’s lives, offering a listening ear and a shoulder to lean on, showcasing the importance of support.
23. What Was Rita Jean Basham’s Approach to Overcoming Challenges?
Rita Jean Basham approached challenges with grace, resilience, and an unwavering faith in her ability to overcome them.
She faced adversity head-on, never losing sight of her goals or her values. Her ability to maintain a positive attitude and to find strength in her faith allowed her to navigate even the most difficult situations, highlighting the importance of positive thinking.
24. How Did Rita Jean Basham’s Friends Describe Her?
Rita Jean Basham’s friends described her as a kind, compassionate, wise, and supportive individual who always put others first.
She was a loyal and trusted friend, always willing to lend a listening ear or offer a helping hand. Her genuine care for others and her unwavering optimism made her a cherished companion, showcasing the principles of friendship.
25. What Role Did Music Play in Rita Jean Basham’s Life?
While the original text doesn’t explicitly mention music, it’s reasonable to infer that music, like other forms of art and culture, likely played a role in enriching Rita Jean Basham’s life.
Music has the power to uplift the spirit, soothe the soul, and connect people on a deeper level. Whether she enjoyed listening to music, singing in the choir, or playing a musical instrument, music likely provided her with a source of joy, inspiration, and comfort.
26. How Did Rita Jean Basham Stay Active and Engaged in Her Community?
Rita Jean Basham remained active and engaged in her community through her church activities, her volunteer work, and her involvement in various social groups.
She believed in the importance of giving back to her community and making a positive difference in the lives of others. Her commitment to service and her willingness to lend her time and talents made her a valuable asset to her community, showing the importance of service.
27. What Was Rita Jean Basham’s Favorite Way to Spend Her Free Time?
Rita Jean Basham enjoyed spending her free time traveling, biking, reading, and spending time with her family and friends.
These activities brought her joy, relaxation, and a sense of connection with the people and things she loved. They allowed her to recharge her batteries and to pursue her passions, contributing to her life and ideals.
28. How Did Rita Jean Basham Embrace New Experiences?
Rita Jean Basham embraced new experiences with curiosity, enthusiasm, and a willingness to step outside of her comfort zone.
Whether it was traveling to a new country, trying a new activity, or learning a new skill, she approached life with an open mind and a sense of adventure. Her willingness to embrace new experiences allowed her to grow as a person and to enrich her understanding of the world.
29. What Advice Would Rita Jean Basham Give to Young People Today?
Drawing from Rita Jean Basham’s life, the advice she might offer young people today would include pursuing their passions, embracing challenges, and making a positive impact on the world.
She would likely encourage them to cultivate strong relationships, to never stop learning, and to always remain true to their values. Her message would be one of hope, encouragement, and empowerment, inspiring them to live their lives to the fullest.
30. How Can We Honor Rita Jean Basham’s Memory?
We can honor Rita Jean Basham’s memory by living our lives with compassion, integrity, and a commitment to serving others.
By emulating her values and by making a positive difference in the world, we can ensure that her legacy lives on for generations to come. We can also support causes that were important to her, such as Alzheimer’s research and youth ministry programs, helping to create a better future for others.
31. How Did Rita Jean Basham and John Basham Support Each Other’s Passions?
Rita Jean and John Basham supported each other’s passions by encouraging each other’s pursuits and sharing in each other’s interests.
Whether it was traveling the world together, embarking on bike adventures, or pursuing their individual hobbies, they found ways to support each other’s passions and to enrich their lives through shared experiences.
32. What Was Rita Jean Basham’s Favorite Type of Book or Genre to Read?
While not explicitly stated, we can infer that Rita Jean Basham, given her background in ministry and her love for learning, likely enjoyed reading books on spirituality, theology, biography, and travel.
These genres would have aligned with her interests and allowed her to continue expanding her knowledge and understanding of the world. Reading likely provided her with a source of inspiration, comfort, and intellectual stimulation.
33. How Did Rita Jean Basham Integrate Her Love for Travel With Her Faith?
Rita Jean Basham likely integrated her love for travel with her faith by visiting religious sites, exploring different cultures, and connecting with people from diverse backgrounds.
Her travels to places like Egypt and Israel would have provided her with a deeper understanding of biblical history and the origins of her faith. Her interactions with people from different cultures would have broadened her perspective and strengthened her commitment to compassion and understanding.
34. How Did Rita Jean Basham Handle Disagreements or Conflicts in Her Relationships?
While not explicitly detailed, it can be inferred that Rita Jean Basham likely handled disagreements or conflicts in her relationships with empathy, respect, and a willingness to compromise.
Given her background in ministry and her commitment to compassion, she would have approached disagreements with a desire to understand the other person’s perspective and to find a mutually agreeable solution. She likely prioritized maintaining healthy relationships over winning arguments.
35. What Was Rita Jean Basham’s Attitude Toward Lifelong Learning?
Rita Jean Basham possessed a strong commitment to lifelong learning, evident in her pursuit of higher education and her continued engagement with new ideas and experiences.
Her decision to attend the Iliff School of Theology after raising her children demonstrates her desire to continue growing intellectually and spiritually. Her love for travel and her willingness to embrace new experiences further underscore her commitment to lifelong learning.
36. How Did Rita Jean Basham Make Others Feel Valued and Appreciated?
Rita Jean Basham made others feel valued and appreciated by actively listening to them, offering genuine compliments, and showing a sincere interest in their lives.
She had a gift for making people feel seen, heard, and understood. Her kindness, compassion, and unwavering support made her a cherished friend, mentor, and confidante.
37. How Did Rita Jean Basham Balance Her Own Needs With the Needs of Others?
While not explicitly stated, it can be inferred that Rita Jean Basham strived to balance her own needs with the needs of others by practicing self-care, setting healthy boundaries, and prioritizing her well-being.
She understood that she could not effectively care for others if she did not first take care of herself. By prioritizing her own physical, emotional, and spiritual health, she was better equipped to serve others and to live a fulfilling life.
38. What Would Rita Jean Basham Consider Her Greatest Accomplishment?
Rita Jean Basham would likely consider her greatest accomplishment to be the positive impact she had on the lives of her family, friends, and community.
Her dedication to her family, her commitment to her faith, and her service to others made her a beloved and respected figure in her community. She would likely take pride in knowing that she made a difference in the lives of those around her.
39. What Lasting Legacy Did Rita Jean Basham Leave Behind?
Rita Jean Basham left behind a lasting legacy of love, compassion, and service, inspiring all who knew her to live their lives with purpose and passion.
Her life story serves as a reminder that true success is not measured by material wealth or professional accolades, but by the positive impact we have on the lives of others. Her legacy will continue to inspire and uplift for generations to come.
40. How Can Learning About Rita Jean Basham Inspire Us in Our Own Lives?
Learning about Rita Jean Basham can inspire us to live our lives with greater purpose, compassion, and joy.
Her story reminds us that it is never too late to pursue our passions, to make a positive difference in the world, and to embrace each day with gratitude and enthusiasm. By emulating her values and by living our lives to the fullest, we can honor her memory and create our own lasting legacies.
Rita Jean Basham’s life story is a powerful reminder of the importance of faith, family, community, and a positive outlook. Her impact on those around her is a testament to the power of compassion and service. To explore more inspiring stories and leadership insights, visit johnchen.net today and discover a wealth of knowledge and resources to help you achieve your personal and professional goals. Let Rita’s story inspire you to connect, contribute, and lead with purpose.
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FAQ About John Basham and Rita Jean Basham
1. How Long Were John and Rita Jean Basham Married?
John and Rita Jean Basham were married in 1963, meaning they shared nearly six decades together, a testament to their enduring love and commitment.
2. What Was Rita Jean Basham’s Role in Her Community?
Rita Jean Basham was deeply involved in her community as a minister and educator, impacting many lives through her service and guidance.
3. Where Did Rita Jean Basham Work as a Minister?
Rita Jean Basham served as a Youth Minister at Park Hill United Methodist Church and later as a Youth Program Coordinator and Associate Pastor at Brentwood United Methodist Church.
4. What Did Rita Jean Basham Teach Before Becoming a Minister?
Before dedicating herself to ministry, Rita Jean Basham taught business classes at George Washington High School in Denver, showcasing her diverse talents.
5. What Were Some of Rita Jean and John Basham’s Favorite Activities?
Rita Jean and John Basham enjoyed traveling, biking, and spending time with their family, creating memories across the globe.
6. How Many Children Did John and Rita Jean Basham Have?
John and Rita Jean Basham raised three sons, Mark, Steve, and Matt, and also welcomed a foster son, Robert Blanchard, into their family.
7. What Was Rita Jean Basham Known For?
Rita Jean Basham was known for her wisdom, enthusiasm, and the twinkle in her eyes, endearing her to all who met her.
8. Where Can I Learn More About Compassionate Leadership?
To explore more about compassionate leadership and related insights, visit johnchen.net for a wealth of resources and inspiring stories.
9. How Did Rita Jean Basham’s Life Influence Those Around Her?
Rita Jean Basham’s life influenced others through her dedication to service, her unwavering faith, and her compassionate spirit, leaving a lasting impact on her community.
10. What Values Did Rita Jean Basham Embody?
Rita Jean Basham embodied values such as compassion, integrity, service, and a deep love for her family and community, guiding her actions and inspiring those around her.
