James Sauntry

James Harvey Sauntry, 79, of Overland Park, passed away in his home on July 16, 2024. He was born on September 10, 1944, to Bob and Irene Sauntry in Duluth, Minnesota. He attended Grant Elementary School, St. Jean's Catholic School, and graduated from Denfeld High School in 1962. He later received a business degree from the University of Minnesota in Duluth. Jim played many sports growing up. He excelled in hockey and golf.
Jim worked for Travelers Insurance, and moved to Hibbing, Minnesota, Topeka, Kansas and Hartford, Connecticut, before settling in the Kansas City area. He bought a Taco Via franchise and at one time had 4 restaurants. He ran the Taco Uno in Shawnee for many years before retiring in 2016.
Jim married Colleen Ottesen in 1980. She had three grown children; one in high school. Her large, boisterous and close-knit family quickly welcomed Jim into their clan. Jim and Colleen's home was the gathering spot for many holiday dinners, taco parties, neighborhood get-togethers and overnight stays for out of town guests over the years. Jim played golf whenever he could and won several big tournaments around Kansas City. He made many great and lasting friendships in the golf community. Coleen worked with Jim in their restaurants. They were married for 43 years.
Jim and Colleen traveled to Las Vegas every spring for 26 years with a large group of friends. He golfed, gambled and went to shows there. Jim won a trip to Scotland, where he and a partner played the famed St. Andrew's golf course, where golf first began. Jim and Colleen also traveled back to Duluth many times, and to Hawaii, Georgia, Texas and North Carolina to visit their kids.
Jim is preceded in death by his parents, his brother Michael Sauntry in 2017, his granddaughter Jillian Ottesen in 2022, and his wife Colleen in 2023.
Jim is survived by his sister Betty (Cliff) Isadore, his sister-in-law Charlene (Wally) Bredemeier, his children: Stephanie (Ron) Koch, Steve (Angela) Ottesen, Grant (Karen) Ottesen; his grandchildren: Damon (Shari) Koch, Caroline (Bo) Gollier, Christie Koch, Bob (Franni) Ottesen, William Ottesen, Nikki Ottesen, Morgan (Bryan) Peters, and Lauren Ottesen; 8 great grandchildren and many nieces and nephews.
Jim will be remembered for his excellent golf game, his bright smile, his devotion to his wife, his love for his family, and his loyalty to his friends. He was an honest and decent man.