James Leo Healy

James Leo Healy of Kansas City, Missouri passed away peacefully on January 5, 2025. He was 84 years old. Jim was a life-long Kansas Citian. Born to Clarence and Catherine (Morris) Healy, he grew up with his two brothers. Jim attended St. James and Our Lady of Sorrows Catholic grade schools. He attended Rockhurst High School where he graduated in 1957. He earned his Bachelor’s degree from the University of Missouri-Kansas City and a Master’s degree in Business Administration from Rockhurst College. Jim also attended the Executive Education program at the Harvard Business School. After completing his accounting degree, Jim worked for Peat Marwick in Kansas City for several years before beginning his 20-year career at Marion Laboratories. 

Jim’s passion was people – his wife, family, friends, neighbors, and fellow parishioners. Jim and Mary met while at Our Lady of Sorrows grade school. This started a life-long friendship that included 63 years of marriage, 5 children, 16 grandchildren, and 2 great-grandchildren. Jim and Mary loved to host their friends and family for holidays. Jim loved to talk to his neighbors and friends and was always available to help, play a game of pick-up basketball, or chat on a walk around the block. Jim was a member of the parish council and school board at Nativity of Mary parish in Independence for many years while his 5 children attended school there. Jim also counted collections and served many masses at Our Lady of Sorrows.

Jim loved a good laugh – and he loved his “poetry” that made others laugh with him. Jim was able to travel to see many places around the world including his work trips to Europe; taking his daughter to England for her study-abroad semester; many “grandkid” trips around the US; and so many trips with Mary including to the Holy Land and Ireland. 

Jim is preceded in death by his parents and his brothers Patrick and Michael. Jim is survived by his wife Mary; his son Tim; and daughters Teresa (Pat), Susan (Tod), Cathleen (Nick), and Jennifer (Paul). He was also proud grandfather to Hilary (Drew), Dominic, Britney (Arinze), Amanda, Anthony, Ethan (fiancé Kelsie), Noah, Benjamin, Meghan, George, Mark (Kate), Heidi, John, Katie, Neal (Roxana), and Steve, and great-grandfather to Isabelle and Elena.

A visitation will be held on Friday, January 10 at Muehlebach Chapel from 3:00 to 5:00 pm. A Rosary will be prayed at 4:45 pm. The funeral mass will be on Saturday, January 11 at 10:00 am at Our Lady of Sorrows Catholic Church.