James Birkbeck, chairman of the board of Holton, Kan.-based Denison State Bank, died Nov. 27 at 79, according to an obituary posted on Legacy.com.

Since 1972, Birkbeck served on the bank's board, of which he was chairman over the last 42 years. He was also president of the bank's parent company, Denison Bancshares Inc. of Holton.